Friends and Memories

It's hard to believe that Labor Day has come and gone and fall starts in 2 1/2 weeks! The flowers in the back are on their last legs of color but mums and Russian sage are picking up where others left off.

Our good friends, the Coakleys, have ventured home to Florida but before they left our other long time friends, Roger and Pat Finlan, joined us all for an overnight of talk and good times. Roger Finlan, Pat Coakley and Bob were all administrators together in Harbor Beach in the late 70's and early 80's and became fast friends. The families all got along and the kids grew up together. Late night card games on snow days, family picnics, vacations, classes and conferences made lasting memories and cemeted bonds of friendship. It was great to have all together again.

One bittersweet event marked Labor Day itself. Dad's boat has been with us since his death. I thought I would use it but I'm just not the fisherman that Dad was. So, we put it up for sale. After several calls and a few inspections we had a buyer. His name is Jan and he retired up here from Oxford in Oakland County as a former GM supervisor. We talked a good bit and he seems like a genuinely nice guy and avid fisherman. Well, he bought the boat and picked it up on Labor Day. I had a glass of wine and cigar while I waited for Jan to come back with a trailer hitch. Dozens of memories flashed through my mind about Dad, and I literally could picture him sitting in the boat with his fishing hat on, pole in hand and (in times past) a cigar in his mouth. I felt bad that I did not like to fish as he did. It was Dad's relaxation and spiritual time. But then I thought that he passed on something to me. My form of relaxation and spiritual time is riding the Harley. We had different views and different passions but we no doubt have the same sense of joy and freedom doing what we love. As Bob Seger says, "Turn the page."

The last of the summer flower color.

Pat Finlan enjoying the conversation.

Pat Coakley, left and Roger Finlan, right. Good friends.

Jan and his son pick up Dad's boat. It's off to a good home and destined to catch many more fish. I asked them to try to catch a big bluegill as the first fish in memory of Dad.