My Special Day

I was only three and a half years old when something extra special happened in my life one April day that I will never forget. I have only this one day that I can say I remember about my dad, but it was so special that any child would hope to remember.

April 20, 1961, was the day when my dad said to my mom, “Today is going to be slow because we will be going out on the barge tomorrow. Why don’t I take Debbie with me to work?” This way, Mom would have the day to herself, being that my sister and brother were both in school. Mom thought that would be great, so off I went to the place where my dad worked. Mom told me I was so excited to be going off to work with my dad. As any youngster would, it would be a special memory I have held onto my entire life.

When we got there, I met his boss, Mr. Harry Bowditch. They called him “Hap.” I also met his coworker; his name was William Johnston, and they called him “Scratchy.” They were both very gentle men, as kind to me as I can remember. I watched my dad get things together for the next day. As he was putting things together, he would tell me what they needed to take on the boat. After they got everything together, they took it outside and put it all on the big truck. I can remember how happy I was being with him and helping when I could. I look back today, and I know he gave me things to carry so I would feel helpful, and it did, for I still remember that day like it was just yesterday.

When the truck was loaded, it was time to have lunch. Dad and I went outside to the picnic tables, and he opened his lunchbox. Mom had packed it for the two of us; it had two sandwiches, two drinks, and a snack for me. Then Scratchy and Hap came out and joined us. They talked a bit about what they were going to do on the barge the next day. I sat there while the men were talking. It was okay, for I was with my dad. They finished discussing the work they had the next day, and then Hap said, “Okay, since we have a long day tomorrow and the truck is loaded, let’s call it a day.” So the men all got up from the table. Dad took my hand and said, “Okay, let’s go.” We walked to Dad’s truck. He told me, “Mom isn’t planning on us coming home so soon. Let’s take a drive to the beach and take a walk.” We got to the beach and collected some shells to bring home to Mom. Dad had a bag in the truck, and we used it to put the shells in. We always went to the same beach, which overlooked Sag Harbor. The name of the beach is Wades Beach.

We stayed there for a while. Then he told me it was time to go; he had told Mom that we would pick up my sister and Norman at school. We arrived before school was over, so we waited to hear the last bell ring. Dad was telling me about going out on the barge the next day and what they were going to do on the water. I don’t remember this, but I was told when I was older. The truck door opened, and my brother and sister climbed into the truck. Dad asked them both if they had everything. They said yes, so Dad said, “Let’s go home and see what Mom did all day.”

When we got home, Mom was on the porch waiting for us. She asked me if I had a good day. “Yes, I did. Dad showed me his shop where he works. Then we had lunch with the two men Dad works with, and we have something for you.” I walked over to Dad and asked if he had Mom’s present. “Oh yes, I’ll get them,” he said. He went to the truck and took out the bag. He gave it to me, and then I ran over to Mom and gave her the bag of shells. “Where did you get these?” she asked.

“We went to the beach after work and got them for you,” I answered.

She said, “It looks like you had a great day with Dad.”

“Yes, I did.”

Then, as I was told, Dad said to me, “We will do it again.”

Mom told me I was so happy to hear that, for I loved spending time with my dad.