THE DAY of dads may have come and gone, but I am sure it still must have left some bits of sparkles in the hearts of all fathers, including a few who project a stone-cold outer hide but are actually bleeding hearts on the inside.
However, that doesn’t matter in the end. Whether it be a case of… dad’s not here, just far away at work, dad’s in Heaven looking down on us, or as some like to quip, dad had drowned in soup, at the end of any long tirade, it’s basically all the same still.
Father’s Day, being the only day dedicated solely to him, brings out a feel-good in people, even in those who observe from the sidelines of the whole affair. With that, I mean, innocent bystanders, like one waiter during our gig, who thought and said, that must be an important thing.
Last night, a piece of paper napkin where two requested songs were scrawled found its way into my harmonica case during our night gig, delivered by him (the waiter), who discreetly pointed out where it was from.
The note had merely said someone had a birthday that day and asked if we could include “Leader of the Band” as part of their request. I looked up and made out a white-haired man seated at the head of a long table, surrounded by what seemed to me to be family and friends.
They all looked expectantly in our direction, as if to say, please. As we began the beginning strains of the said song, I spoke on the mic, All this for you, pops, and they cheered and lovingly looked his way. You could say, deep down, I also meant to dedicate the tune to my departed father. All for you, pops.
My mind wandered to our last Father’s Day visit before my papa passed away in ’22. I had remembered back then, because of all the regular weekend visitations we and the rest of the clan had done, I had doubted if he was even aware that it was Father’s Day.
I figured at the outset, he must have at first thought it may have just been another ordinary Sunday. But of course, not until the rest of the grandchildren and great-greats had arrived, and excitedly showered him with hugs and kisses, along with their ‘happy father’s day’ sing-song greetings.
In one long flashback, that old scene had played, meshed between the lyrics of the song last night and at looking at how the old timer at the head of the table listened intently.
Then, spoiler alert, despite the magical and temporary mushy feel floating in the air, it all dissipates to mist and slowly, all is back to square one. The living dads look around, dazed and realize the fun and parades are over. The feeling is closer to what a meme on social media had suggested: It might have been Father’s Day, brother, but always remember, the rest of the year is Mother’s Day.
