sometime next spring i am planning a pilgrimage to my hometown. barrington, rhode island is where we landed in 1962, after my dad retired from the navy and mom was ready to take center stage again.
mom was a star at barrington college, and dad was the retired navy man who came in as superintendent of buildings and grounds but after a few years was the campus security manager. i saw him go off to work in green janitor clothes when i was 3, but when i was 14 he was wearing suits and ties when he dropped me off at school each morning.
in the early 70's dad was forced out, but he perservered and got a job as the executive director of the warren housing authority. he built an apartment complex for seniors, and was affectionately known as "the commander". he worked with the architechts, designers and craftsmen, reviewed applications for residence, changed lightbulbs and planted bushes himself. everyone loved the commander.
he had a beautiful secretary named ann and she looked like sophia loren and audrey hepburn and they loved each other in the lovely way that workplace partners do. respect and awe, the freedom to give opinions, an offer of a hot cup of coffee, a solid "good morning" and "good night" every day for so many years.
so i am planning this trip and i googled "kickemuit village", the place that dad built, and who's name should appear as current executive director
after more than 30 years
ann.
then i thought about dad, my precious dad, and how much after all these years i miss him. i still cry but not in the desperate way i used to. now the tears just come when i think about his blue shining eyes and funny laugh, and the tears just come and come.
they don't ever stop, those tears, they are just different.
but bless her -- ann is still there, steering that ship after 30 years.
when i visit in april,
i think i'll look her up.
miss you, dad.
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