We had my parents over for Father's Day, also my Mother in Law. And The Kid came back from one of her latest adventures to join us for dinner. This was Mrs. T's first Father's Day since her Dad had passed away last October. So she was a little melancholy. I've got friends who have lost children and I wondered how they were doing. One buddy lost his son two years ago and just lost his Dad a couple of months ago. We skirted the subject but I didn't ask him directly how he was feeling. So I'm feeling pretty lucky this year.
I've long since stopped getting my Dad "things" as gifts. How can I say this politely and delicately? My parents have somewhat of a "tidiness" issue. And I have decided to stop adding to the clutter. So we've switched to meals and such. And I take him to hockey and baseball games. I think that's better anyway. I get to spend time with him. He's always been an aviation as well as a WWII buff. I did some research and found that
the Commemorative Air Force's Fifi (at one time the only flying B-29 Superfortress in the world), was touring in the area this summer. I originally told him that I had grabbed some tickets to take him on a "VIP Walkthrough" of the aircraft. On Father's Day,
I showed him this video* and told him which person he would be. He didn't seem to get it at first, but now understands that next Saturday, weather and mechanical compliance permitting, he will sit directly behind the Captain on a 20-30 minute flight on Fifi. I sit in the back of the cockpit on the other side near the radio operator's station. The seats in the back at the gunner's locations are much cheaper but you're not allowed to go all the way forward during flight. I thought that watching and listening to the flight crew, and looking out the "Millenium Falcon" windows would be much preferable. So, with Mrs. T's approval, I splurged and got us two tickets in the cockpit.
This should prove interesting.
* Both videos are quite long. You can ignore or skip through per your interest. It won't hurt my feelings.
Look for the Helpers. You will always find people who are helping.
-Mr. Rogers' Mom