a great day...

There are only a few places at which I feel I could ever have a great conversation with my dad. We had great conversations in his car while doing paper routes. We had a standing appointment every Sunday morning to deliver the 100 or so extra large Sunday papers. For some reason working side by side helped us talk. McDonalds egg mcmuffins, coffee and a hot chocolate had the same effect when the route was through. We also had some great talks over Seven 11 hot dogs; they were two for a buck and two big gulps made it just over $3. They were a tradition after a baseball game. We usually ate them in the car also. Dad's car was a magical place where personal things were shared. Today however, we were at my favorite talking spot; the golf course.
I took an unplanned trip home to Chicago just to make a tee time my brother hooked up for us with a client at a suburban golf course. Dad's miodisplastic syndrome has been really taking a toll on him and I didn't want to miss out on a chance to hit the links with him while he can still swing a club. We only made it 9 1/2 holes but they were great. I shot a 45... But as fulfilling as that was, the time in the cart with dad felt even better. We didn't talk about anything important. We just talked. Guys have a tendency to go weeks, months or even years without talking and then just pick right back up where they left off. I may be because we don't get too deep; but I like to think it's because we understand the value of time spent and connect deeper than words. I know it's probably a bunch of crap... But I like to believe it. After golf we grabbed some burgers and spent another 2 hours or so talking sports, work, friends and... Well nothing personal. But it was still a great day.
Come to think of it, I'm not sure if any of those early morning paper route conversations or fast food talks ever revealed anything deep about my dad or me. I just look back on those times with great nostalgia and a longing to recreate them with my dad before he's gone and my boys before they grow up.
I've read plenty of books and articles on guys, communications and the father/son relationship. I'm not sure if I'm any different than the personalities they all try to fix. And to be honest, in regards to my dad, I'm not sure I want to be fixed. It was just great to spend time with dad.
And when it comes time to deliver paper, recoup from a nine inning shut out or help my youngest fish his last ball out of the bond, maybe I'll be ready to share more than time.