5/21/16
Woburn, MA
I woke up
before 6 without an alarm clock. It’s an
hour later and the shades are still drawn, snores are emanating from one bed
and my wife is in the same position when she fell asleep next to me. I’ve learned on this trip that my father
missed his calling since he would have been a perfect project manager. He is the epitome of anal retentive. He is the one who is set on the intricate
details that could drive someone like me…bonkers. This was the first trip which our parents
joined us. The occasion, their first
grandchild was graduating college.
Before I describe the event I have to share some of the dialogue between
my father and myself. If you don’t know
anything about me, I will tell you – I can survive on the spare of moment and
take off on a business trip or a weekend without much planning. For work, I can be called out to make a meeting
which will mean an overnight. It’s not a
big deal. I pack and go. I have to say I am surprised my parents made
the trip and very happy they did. My
parents planned to take Amtrak to Boston.
They wanted to be assured that Amanda would meet them. She did.
Two weeks before the trip, my father wanted to know where our hotel
was. It’s in Woburn. Another call, do you know if they will hold
the reservation after six PM, since we may get in after six. Yes, they will hold the room. It’s reserved. Another call, do they have two beds since
your mother snores. I will make sure
they have two beds. Another call, what
is Amanda’s cell? He called me last
Sunday, do you have a paper and pen?
Yes. I want you to take down our
cell number. Dad, you can call my cell
and your number will be in my phone. He
didn’t understand. Well, take it down
anyway. I did. I finally said to my father, if this trip was
too much for you, we would understand if you could not make it. No, I am
fine. We want to be there. So, I was surprised when I learned my parents
were heading up to Boston. For the
record, I tried to call my father on his $5 subscription cell phone – he did
not pick up when I called to make sure they were alright while they were making
our way up here on Thursday. Dad told
Amanda he added “minutes” for the weekend.
Everything is set for today.
Breakfast at 9:30, so most of us can sleep in. Back to the hotel and leave by 12:00 since
their train leaves from Boston at 1:40.
No problem, we got it.
Yesterday, the
sun was out and it was a warm day in Boston.
It was a good day for graduation ceremonies, and especially from Simmons
College. The day started out early. Amanda had to be at the site by 9:30 which
meant we left the hotel by 7:45. My
parents were the first in the lobby. Dad
explained he was never late for a ship.
We packed into the minivan. Dad
sat next to me and my mother with her nerves and genuflections sat in the back. At one time I looked back and saw both hands
raised to the sky as she prayed. We hit
rush hour traffic and found the grace of the HOV till we were in a short
distance for the exit. We made it on
time. Parking was $40. Who cares, they got us and it’s too late. Made it on time. Mo Cheeks forgot her tassel. They
sold tassels and sweat shirts ($40) Bella looked cold, but Ma used it since
Bella said she didn’t need it. The
ceremony was incredible. Michelle
Alexander gave the commencement address which had an impactful message on the
justice system in America that has become a vehicle for racial control.
After lunch,
my in-laws drove my parents to BaBoo where we rented a room for lunch. The food was delicious. A few of Amanda’s friends joined us. Afterwards, we walked down to the water and
sat on the ledge. There was a sail boat
race or practice since all the boats were from Harvard. Jets were taking off from Logan and the day
turned out fine…just as I expected.
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