找誰倚靠—我們都是有故事的人 密西西比的記憶

[00:14]Memories of the Mississippi [00:16]After Mom died, Dad and I took a trip together every summer, just the two of us, father and daughter. [00:24]This was especially meaningful because Dad was aging and we lived two thousand miles apart— [00:30]so a week with Dad, undistracted from other family members or from work, was a treat. [00:36]Our first destination was a cruise up the Mississippi. [00:40]We boarded the steamboat in St. Louis and noticed that we were some of the youngest people on the cruise! [00:46]Even Dad, at 73 looked young! We sat in rocking chairs on the deck, the warm breeze blowing on our faces, [00:55]admiring the lush green trees lining the mighty river. [00:59]A jazz band played in the background. [01:02]On the deck we met John who met the love of his life at a singles dance for senior citizens and asked her to marry him two weeks later. [01:11]It’s John’s first marriage at sixty-five. [01:14]Then there was Jane, a teacher from Little Rock, Arkansas who danced with Bill Clinton decades ago at a school fundraiser. [01:23]Sometimes on the deck Dad and I sat quietly, reading. [01:28]At lunchtime we stood in line for the buffet. [01:31]People asked if Dad was my brother! Amazing for our thirty-eight-year age difference! [01:37]Dad filled his plate with bread, meats, and cheeses to make a sandwich. [01:42]The most important ingredient to any sandwich was mayonnaise. [01:46]Dad loved mayonnaise! Anything else between two pieces of bread was extra fillings. [01:52]After lunch we docked at Alton, Missouri. [01:56]This small town was home to dozens and dozens of antique shops. [02:00]Dad, with little interest in shopping or antiques, although he is almost an antique himself, walked in and out of shop after shop. [02:09]We walked up the hill, down the hill, and through the old town. [02:13]We walked all day. It was the longest time I ever spent shopping with Dad. [02:19]He was a good sport to come along, simply to spend time with me. [02:23]Each day blended together like the last, until seven days passed. [02:28]On the seventh day we reached Minnesota, the top of the Mississippi, and my home, Minneapolis. [02:35]Dad saw my house for the first time and met my two cats, [02:40]Coconut and Coffee Bean. Coconut sat on his lap and purred. The two became quick friends. [02:47]This was the first of many trips we planned together, but unfortunately, it would be our last. [02:54]Dad died a few months later from being hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street in his hometown of Sacramento California. [03:02]What made this trip special was our time together, the two of us. [03:06]I had grown from the teenager embarrassed to be with Dad to the adult cherishing our time together. [03:14]I’ll always treasure these memories of my father, and be proud of who I have become.

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