when i get off of work each
morning i have a feeling of
loneliness, for some reason .
a very small sense of loneliness
but it’s there.
to remedy this i often text my
dad.
he’s usually the only one on
the continet who is both
awake and willing to text me
back.
the texts are usually simple:
me: morning dad! it’s a crisp 62
outside here! enjoying my walk
home from work.
dad: fall is coming
me: yeah!! bring it on!
dad: no place better in the fall than
ny!
me: i know! I am looking forward
to it. you should come visit.
dad: ya. you are right. how about
phelps?
…..
…..love u.
me: love you too!!
this is just one example.
sometimes i give dad a tip
for the day or just say, “i love
you and good morning.”
the streets of new york at
7am are pretty quiet. this
morning i had a nice typical
walk home on the upper west
side.
here are a few highlights:
i passed a preteen ballerina
all dressed up in her tights
with a tight bun resting on
the back of her head, and a
sports bag on her shoulder.
with downcast eyes, i shyly
smiled at a group of construction
workers sipping coffee.
i saw a suited business man
wave happily at his drycleaner
as he walked past the open
glass door of an organic cleaners
shop.
i passed more than one shiny
metal bagel stands with a line
of new yorkers not-so-patiently
waiting for a coffee and bagel.
i smiled at some more construction
workers stepping out of the way
to let me to pass.
i contemplated going into
fairway market, but decided
against it.
i gave a cheery “good morning” to
several doormen, some reading
the paper, some standing nice and
tall at the door of their apartment
building.
i threw the last group of construction
workers a bone; i smiled, waved, and
said good morning.
and i passed a couple of dog owners
walking their pooches, plastic bag
over the hand ready to scoop.
this comparatively quiet walk lasts
three avenues and two blocks.
i think it’s a great walk home.
no subway, no bus, no car…
just the doormen, construction
workers, and me.
thanks for keeping me company
on my way home, daddy. like i
always say… you’re the best!!
is anyone else up at 7am eastern
standard time who wants to text
with me on my way home?
nope?
i thought not.
