Part I
Dad had this classic pose when he was in his element. It was always a kitchen moment. He’d be in his mint-green guayabera shirt, his gap-tooth smile as bright and broad as the reach of his arms , welcoming anyone who ventured into his happy place. Dad loved when his buds would come over and join him in his revery of story and laughter.
Picnic at Dad’s Graveside (Father’s Day 2020, Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit)
But let’s head back to the beginning, the morning of this Father’s Day 1977. Dad would make a general announcement, “If you got to use the bathroom, you better get in there now.” I think Dad thought he was providing a public service, letting his family know that the bathroom would not be available for the next few hours while he luxuriated in his Sunday soak. And I mean luxuriate. Dad was famous for playing his WJZZ Detroit radio jazz while sinking his brown self in a tub of suds and indulging in his weekly manicure. “This is Rosetta Hines and you’re listening to the sweet sounds of WJZZ, the jazzy 105.9, Detroit.” Dad would move his head to the moods of Mose Allison whisper-singing , “Your Mind Is On Vacation,” and fade into himself.
That’s the father I remember fondly. A father in the midst of self-care and bubbles.
—
This post was previously published on medium.com.
You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project
Compliments Men Want to Hear More Often | Relationships Aren’t Easy, But They’re Worth It | The One Thing Men Want More Than Sex | ..A Man’s Kiss Tells You Everything |
Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
—
Photo credit: Ruben Mauricio(Author)