Birthday Spots
Oh, I was so excited! Ten small children were about to arrive for my ninth birthday party. It was a good day but I never expected the sorrow this day would bring.
Mom and I had made little egg salad sandwiches, cutting off the crusts and arranging them on a platter. I stuck my finger in the dip and licked them clean. It was perfect and I thought the day would be perfect also. Two ice cream cakes were rolled in jelly roll fashion and were in the freezer. Balloons and party favors were ready.
One hour before the excitement would begin, I heard my mother crying in the driveway. Rushing outside, I saw a car with a gentleman standing before his open trunk. Before I could be stopped, I peeked into the trunk only to find my beloved Dalmatian dog lying lifeless and bloody. With stricken eyes, the stranger told us how the dog had run out in front of his car. I was horrified. Running inside crying, I threw myself down on my bed and sobbed until my whole body shook. My Dad, a quiet and gentle man, took one look at me and left the house. I had no idea where he was going but I knew I would never feel the same about birthday parties.
Just before my party was to begin, I heard my Dad calling me from downstairs. Red eyed and teary, I went downstairs to see him holding a brand new Dalmatian puppy, who was quivering and shaking and crawled under a chair. I was overjoyed when I saw the puppy as were all my friends now arriving for my party. The little dog didn’t come out from under the chair until my party was over but he became a huge part of my life. I will never forget the compassion shown by my father. I have no idea where he got the puppy but I knew that my father’s love would keep me warm and embraced for as long as he lived.
Dad passed away several years ago but there is such a big space in my heart for him. My Dad was not a touchy feely person but he showed his love to me in so many ways. I will always remember his sweet half smile and the curl on his forehead which always hung down, no matter how many times he slicked it back. I can still close my eyes and see the tenderness radiating from his face. I just wish he were still here.