Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

For February 9th from, The Journey: A Calendar Book we read,

 "Go with Dad on a special trip" (James, 2012).

No matter our age, spending one on one time with our mom or dad is something which always provides growth for us as well asq for them.

My father and I weren't the best of buds as I was growing up.  He was 1st Sargent Sterling S. Harryman in the army, father of 7, and a product of generations of disciplinarians.  We kids were his little soldiers.  My being the youngest didn't help my case much.  I was tagged "Momma's boy" as soon as I left the birth canal and the label has stuck to this day.  There was never a chance of shaking it.

Mom certainly recognized the rift as I grew.  Like the great mother she was, in her subtle way she worked to assuage the rift and bring my father and me closer.  When I was 12 my father's Grandmother Scott passed away and he was going to travel to Buffalo, Missouri for the funeral, alone.  Mom entertained the idea of my going along with him, which I did.

Although the road trip started out subdued, before sunset Dad was betting me the sun would set in so many minutes and I was betting it wouldn't.  The remainder of the trip was a great experience.  I was no less respectful of the man who was such a present in my world, but we had come to an unspoken agreement we could do this.

Toward the end of his life I drove him back to his "hometown" of Longlane, Missouri.  After grandchildren came along Dad had become a much more mellow individual, no longer the strict disciplinarian he had once been. We spent 4 days visiting his parents' graves, visiting the old home place and other locations he recalled from childhood.  It was a wonderful road trip.  His life ended with my sister and me at his side and his and my relationship melded into a close father/son connection.

Go on road trip trip with Dad.  Cultivate a strong relationship.

Keep looking up. : )  AJ