When Athens, Georgia’s Avid Bookshop invited me to appear in their stupendous Prince Avenue space, I barked,
“YESYESYESYESYESYES!”
Sure, I was excited about an invite to a prestigious indie bookstore. But I took the event to drag Dad back to the University of Georgia. I imagined us strolling through the UGA campus, him regaling me with stories of his college days.
“I want to see that Georgia-Missouri basketball game!”
“Really, Dad? I mean, it starts at noon, and we’re not driving over until Saturday, so—”
“That means I’m gettin’ up at 6am. Linda’ll have to cut her beauty routine short, or I’ll be leaving her.”
“Dad, I’ve been to Virginia and back this week. I don’t want to get up that early, and—”
“I already got the tickets. Five of ’em. Spent seventeen dollars apiece.”
“But—”
MTM pinched my arm. “This is what memories are made of.”
I think I gave him the finger.
I’m all for making a memory,
when I don’t have to get up early…..
But I don’t want to be a hypocrite, telling everyone how important it is to make a memory without following my own directives. I dragged my butt to the car at o’dark thirty. I even kept smiling on the top row of UGA’s Stegeman Arena. The players were ants, and the wall jammed in my back made for perfect posture. Dad only screamed at the officials once. Or twice.
We finally stood under this historic arch together.
And saw where he registered for classes.
Is it ironic that the funeral home where Dad lived and worked is now the Office of Campus Architects?
I’m proud to say I’ve appeared at Avid Bookshop. Even prouder they want to host me again.
But I’m grateful we made Athens memories with my father.
We Made a Memory his way.
And it was perfect.
*******************
The Huffington Post calls Not Without My Father
“one literary ride you don’t want to miss!”
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23 Comments
Great memory. Loved the “smile Dad,” picture.
Yes. He’s a mess.
Good stuff. Did anybody notice that the Bulldogs smoked the Tigers?
Oh, of course!! News like that never gets past Dad.
OK, that is funny. That picture of you giving MTM the finger is going to keep me smiling for a while. 🙂
Ha.
Love that giant smile on Roy’s face! Awesome!
We all had a great time. I’m glad Avid worked out.
Have I mentioned how adorable I find your Dad? The picture with his grin? Love it!
He loves comments like these, Lori. He relishes his celebrity and meaning to people.
That picture of your dad grinning is perfect.
Yep. Glad I captured it.
You are a great presenter, speaker and superb memory maker! Kudos to you that you went and enjoyed the time together.
Thanks for the kudos. I need them on a day where nothing is going my way to remember everything is a series of waves.
Here you are, a whole year after the Trace walk, and still getting to make new memories with your Dad. 🙂 I, too, love his Cheshire Cat grin.
Hope this evening is wildly successful and makes up for the day not “going your way.”
Bookstores are not typically my best events, but I’ve already stopped by City Lit, and they’re super. Funky neighborhood, and my book is front and center in the window.
I love this post and am laughing while thinking of the two of you in the car again. 🙂 I hope today ends on a high note, your schedule looks like it’s been a full one…
Day ended on a high note. I facetimed with MTM. 🙂
So wonderful!! Glad you guys made the trip. Your response to MTM’s comment is hilarious!
Sometimes, it’s the only acceptable response………
I’ll tell you–it was all worth it for just the one photo of the two of you under the arch! I just loved that. And Roy’s smile is truly heartwarming! 🙂
I love it! And I agree with the comment above. The two of you under the arch is awesome.
That arch was the first place Dad took us when we first went to Athens. I think I was in high school.
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