Expanded Thankful Post

I started doing a Thankfulness challenge on Jan 1 to try and get me out of the funk I was in. This is an expanded version for today, Feb 11.

I am Thankful my Dad is only about 40 minutes drive away when I want or need to visit with him. 

I am also Thankful for inheriting my Dad’s sense of humor, and unfortunately, or fortunately, his sense of direction and his ability to get lost and turned around.

Driving up to the cemetery in North Phoenix, I decided not to use the GPS as we’ve gone enough, I thought I would remember where to turn and Plus, there are directional signs for the VA cemetery on the route.

My Dad, too, was famous (infamous) for not asking directions and being the typical Alpha Male who knew exactly how to go, even if he had never been there. He famously missed a turn that we never let him forget. His retort that became a legend and a running joke was “So I missed the fucking turn; it’s not the end of the fucking world.” And yes, he was very frustrated when he said it. He never cursed except for a very rare “oh shit” when it managed to slip out.

So, I became even moreso my Father’s son when I decided I knew better than the GPS. I missed the exit off the highway. OOPS!

It gets better. So then I put the cemetery into Google Maps, but on the road where you enter the cemetery grounds, I turned too soon onto a wrong alleyway. Foiled again!

When Google Maps screeched “you have arrived at your destination” We were actually outside another cemetery right next to the VA. Still wrong!

We just had to laugh.

Like Father, Like Son.

I was upset this morning and on the drive up. As we pulled into the cemetery, “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan started playing on the radio. Had I not missed the exit and made the wrong turns, we would not have heard that song. Another sign? 

Even though I was upset, after we were at Dad’s gravesite, I felt an unexplained peace and serenity that calmed me down some and stopped me from a full blown ugly cry. 

I thanked him for the signs he has provided us thus far, and so I am extremely thankful for the ones he decided to throw our way on the drive back home. 

Black Birds have been one of his telltale signs. When I stopped at QT for lunch, a black bird was next to the car. It remained still as I backed up, stared right at me and then flew away. 

Additionally, We passed a car with a NY Giants sticker, and then passed a 2nd NY Giants fan in their car as we entered Chandler on the 101.

Our original plan was to see a movie, but we missed the movie time, and decided to do the food shopping instead. Sometimes, things just occur the way they are meant to play out, so that you are exactly where the universe needs or wants you to be, to either help someone or be helped yourself.

My opinion, anyway. I had a lovely conversation with the cashier at Winco, and at Fry’s, I spotted the Oreo candy bars Dad liked that I also love (think chopped up Oreos covered in milk chocolate), marked down, so I replenished my supply. We went to a different grocery store than we normally do.

It was a pleasant surprise to find them in the checkout line we chose (or that was chosen for us!)

Thanks for everything, Dad.

I love you.