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| Photo of the front of the shirt |
Yesterday, my plans were to work on my boat in order to get
it ready to launch next week. This
spring’s project has been refinishing some of the trim I didn’t get around to
last spring as well as refinishing the mast (a post to come on this
project). Knowing I was going to spend a
day getting dirty as I worked with stains and varnish, I pulled out a box of
older tee-shirts from the closet. My
eyes fell immediately at a tee-shirt from Utah’s Hogle Zoo. I pulled it out thinking once again about the
memories of how I came to own this shirt.
It was summer, either 2000 or 2001. I was at a meeting of some kind held in Park
City, Utah and the family was with me.
I had the afternoon off, so we decided to drive down to the zoo outside of Salt Lake City. My daughter would have been
somewhere between two and three and was all excited about seeing the
animals. Her favorite were the lions and
we spent a long time watching the lions pace about in their containment
areas (unfortunately, there were no gazelles for them to stalk). On our second visit to the
lion’s den, not long after we’d eaten, I was holding her up so she could have a
better view when she lost her lunch all over me. She, too, was covered with vomit. Of course, being responsible parents, we
had a change (or three) of clothes for my daughter. I quickly got her cleaned up and in fresh
clothes. But I had not planned on
spoiling my clothes and the hotel was 15 or 20 miles away. My options were to parade around shirtless,
take off my shirt in a rest room and wash it out and wear it soaking wet, or
buy an over-price souvenir shirt. I chose
the latter.
Whenever I wear this shirt, I recall with pleasure the many
times I carried my little girl around in my arms. Last night, this beautiful young woman asked
me if we could practice driving today as she’ll be taking driver’s ed in a few
weeks. I am not really happy with the prospect of
teaching my daughter to become even more independent, but she just rolls her
eyes (a habit she may have inherited from me) whenever I suggest she can get her driver’s
license when she’s 21.
wow. you are at one of the big turns in the road...ha...i feel for you man...cherish those memories...make some more as you teach her....
ReplyDeleteWell, in my old age, I'm learning patience as we practice and practice some more parking (luckily, the parking lot we were practicing in was empty)!
DeleteLovely memories.
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteHi Sage! Thanks for visiting today. Ya, I know about the mercury but thanks for mentioning it...others should know. I fish barbless so I can catch and gingerly release. I make exceptions for trout from the Catskills however ~ still fish barbless but if they are caught they are dinner.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I suggested they post the deep sand...especially because they do not allow off road vehicles and because some twit like myself will mentally fall asleep at the wheel. 1001 of us did so far in 2013. :(
I love you post today. My 'kids' are in thier late 30's now but zoos, tears, first heart breaks, learners permits, even the vomit and blood and so on are all tender memories now. Funny how t-shirts or even a scrap of paper with a small drawing on it can evoke the deep love we have for our kids. "thanks for the memory"
Delighted to hear that you will be out this way. Hope our paths cross.
I look forward to being in Virginia City the weekend of the 19-21 and will be at a conference at Zephyr Cove from the 21-26
DeleteOh my. I have 4 children, daughter --at 29-- is the youngest, and they are scattered over the world. They don't barf on me anymore and I don't miss it but gosh I miss them sometimes. I loved raising them, yet I think Melinda's phrase "catch and release" applies to more than fish. You have these kids, love them and tell them to go have lives, then release. If everybody's lucky, you get a permanent sense of measureless pride out of it...and maybe a t-shirt.
ReplyDeletepride and a t-shirt, can't beat it! I like the link with the catch-and-release phrase
DeleteWow, sage, I know how you feel. My daughter just got her license a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteShall we start an online support group?
DeleteA favorite zoo memory for me is riding the elephant with my son and the look on his face. Another is when he accidentally fell into the reflecting pool they have there.
ReplyDeletedid the elephant finish him off with a shower? :)
DeleteI've got an overpriced sweatshirt and pair of shorts from a similar experience.
ReplyDeleteI got a hunch that's how they get away selling 20 buck t-shirts!
DeleteGreat story and tug at the heart strings post. Best wishes and Hogle Zoo memories to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAhhh, that's sweet. What a cute story that I'm sure she rolls her eyes at hearing as well. :) Good luck with driving lessons. Dads are the best at it...mom's are just too nervous.
ReplyDeleteMy son just turned 20 on Saturday. Blows my mind.
ReplyDeleteTime passes in such a quick blink of the eye, doesn't it? I love how the shirt brought up (pun intended) those memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine reminder! Yes, earning one's Driver's License is a true achievement. I recall with such clarity the freedom and awesome responsibility that came with a set of keys to a car I shared with my Dad! Exciting! :)
ReplyDeleteYour daughter yakking on you has become part of your family history!
ReplyDeleteMemories!
Oh all those milestones with our children, they come with open hearts and tears in my eyes. Especially with the way some folks drive these days, it's a scary world out there. A past co-worker of mine was just killed as a passenger on a motorcycle, and three days later I drive by another motorcycle accident, with another fatal death. People need to slow down around my state, they are just in too big a hurry when they drive. On a brighter subject, I've been having fun too, getting dirty in my garden, and relocating my fire pit. My children are all very impressed with how I managed by myself to move it so far! Ha! Ha! Life is so good when you get to play in it and get dirty right!
ReplyDelete