Shivering in the coolness of the early summer morning I stood on the train platform holding my daddys hand. I was nine. My daddy was the most important man in the whole world and he was taking me on an adventure. The light in the east pierced the 3 am darkness as it drew nearer arriving in a puff of smoke and grinding steel. The excitement made my heart race. Daddy lifted me up to the arms of the conductor and we found our seats.
Our journey westward this early July morning would take us through the sleeply little spots on the way to Calgary. Several minutes later we were stopped at the next village. No passengers embarked but the sack of mail and a few cream cans were hastily loaded and we were off again. I snuggled against my daddy. I could inhale the scent of his pipe, a comforting aroma that permeated his clothing as my weary eyelids dropped and sleep came quickly.
At 7 am daddy gently wakened me. "Cmon son we need to have some breakfast." I rubbed my eyes and squinted at the day. Morning was here! I bounced awake. Off we went to the dining car walking and rolling with the list of the train. The rhythmic clicking as we wended our way through the coaches to the dining car was a new and exciting experience for me. Daddy ordered us a wonderful breakfast. The crisp table cloths, the heavy silverware, the tantalizing smells of coffee and breakfast cooking drifted out of the galley. I giggled as I sipped my orange juice while the jostling of the train made it move precariously close to the rim of the glass.
Breakfast over, we returned to our seats. Daddy got some damp paper towels to polish up my face and hands. We watched the fields of grain, the herford and angus cattle, the trucks on the parallel highway as we neared the city. The train slowed its pace and we began our journey through the city. What excitement. Traffic waited as we whisled our way through the intersections. We approached the train station again in a flury of squeeling brakes and puffs of steam. We waited patiently on the platform for our baggage. Daddy hefted his Gladstone bag from the cart and off we went through the station.
My eyes danced in amazement at the vastness of the marble floors, the height of the windows, the long worn oak benches where embarking travellers waited to board. The unique scent of the station filled my nostrils. Cigar smoke, coffee, popcorn, and a mishmash of perfumes filled the air. In moments we were outside. The sun was nicely up, the sky brilliantly clear as we crossed 9th Avenue and entered the lobby of the Carleton Hotel. What an adventure! We were going to stay in a real hotel! We rode the elevator to our floor. My stomach lurched as the operator pulled the lever and we began our ascent. The cage door slid back as we stopped with the caution to mind our step. Down the hall we went, Daddy pointing out the toilet and bath in the hall as we reached our room.
Minutes later we were back outside. The sidewalks were milling with people this Friday morning. The Calgary Stampede Parade would soon be underway. Cowboy hats abounded, silk western shirts with fringe and embroidery were the dress of the day. The excitement mounted and off in the distance we could hear the bagpipes crying their marching tune. Horses hooves provided the clip clop cadence that announced the parade was upon us.
There he was! Roy Rogers on Trigger leading the parade with Dale Evens and Buttermilk beside him. They waved and smiled and the 'Yahoo' reverberated from the onlookers. Horses and more horses, floats, bands, costumed natives, dance hall girls, eastern potentates and clowns galore moved in procession past us. This was gigantic and the day had only begun. Wisely as the parade faded off to the east Daddy suggested a nap before extending the adventure to the Stampede Grounds themself.
A few hours later we entered the gate. Caliopes played, loudspeakers announced, the crowd jostled while the food booths sent whifs of fascinating delights toward us. Corn dogs, cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, the selection was incredible. There were games of chance where Daddy won a wonderful stuffed Drum Major for me. There were sideshows with wonders unbelievable. A house of mirrors, a house of horrors, and rides galore. Flashing lights and loud engines that drove the rides added to the roar. We rode the dodge em cars bumping and jarring with other laughing people, we whirled around on the tilt a whirl, we screamed on the roller coaster and lost our stomaches on the ferris wheel.
Twilight began to ease over us. We made our way to the grandstand. Soon right in front of us where chuckwagon races. The gritty voice of Joe Carburry boomed over the loudspeakers. "And their off....." Clouds of dust and a clatter of hooves announced the first heat. Races over a tractor drew the stage for the evening performance across the front of the grandstand. We were presented in very short order a variety show that made Ed Sullivans Show seem like a quite night. Musicians, singers, dancers, jugglers, clowns, acrobats and lion acts kept us entertained for a few hours. Darkness had settled and a hush fell over the crowd. BANG! A loud crack rang through the grandstand and seconds later the sky was lit with shining stars! Bang! More colors from a new source! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHH! Gasped the audience in wonder at the beauties of the fireworks. A series of sharp shots and the entire area was lit with a malestorm of brilliant little explosions. Then silence. Slowly the crowd dispersed.
What a day! Daddy, however had not completed our day. We left the grounds and waited patiently for a taxi. Off we went through the neon excitement of the downtown until we were deposited in front of Linda Mae s Chinese Restaurant on Center Street right in the heart of Calgary s China Town! Platters of food were soon presented and I got my first lesson in the use of chopsticks. My heart swelled. I loved my Daddy so much!
Today when I hold a pair of chopsticks the memory of that long ago adventure comes back to me everytime. I remember him. I remember his love, his gentleness, his strength, his devotion and all the lessons he gifted me with to prepare me for my life. He s gone now. Long ago. Yet he lives within me. He gave me his undying love and I in turn have been able to pass that love to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
botoni posted on Apr 22, 2007
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Comments
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silverwhisper said on Apr 22, 2007....
botoni, what a beautiful tribute! i can hear the childlike wonder so clearly in this, and the unquestioning, ineffable love a child has.
thank you, botoni. i think a number of soulcasters need something to smile about today and i suspect this will do the trick for them. :>
ed -
mobil said on Apr 22, 2007....
You know Botoni, most of us have the good fortune to have good Moms.Especially those of our age, Moms are still mostly good, but it seems ourculture has allowed room for some Moms to care less about their childrenthen the Moms of our generation.Dads are a different ball game all together. I kid can make it without a Dad,as long as he/she has a good Mom.But, when you have a truly good man as your Father and he cares for andloves you, takes the time as your Dad did. Well Sir, you are off to a grandstart in life. Wonderful story Botoni, thank you for sharing it. -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 23, 2007....
What a lovely father you have!!! you are one lucky guy! -
skald said on Apr 23, 2007....
I was going to say what a day, just before I read that you had written it your self . Still I say what a wonderful day. I still don't know how to use chopsticks.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans we kids my age saw in the movies at 3 o´cock on Sundays.
This was beautiful Botoni.
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Susmaryosep said on Apr 23, 2007....
I have been using chopsticks for about 55 years?
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pickersplock said on Apr 23, 2007....
When I eat with chopsticks, I always think about my friend from the Phillipenes.
He was originally from Burma and I met him in college at SUNY Buffalo. He taught me
how to use them, now I can even eat rice and soup with them, of course the soup involves a little drinking from the bowl. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding me
of my friend, now I'll think of you also! -
botoni said on Apr 23, 2007....
Silverwhisper....thank you so very much. You are one slick tongued devil. I hope we get a smile too.
Mobil.......Thank you for the compliments buddy. You re right my dad was a good dad and the quality time he spent with me was very special.
Susmaryosep....you ve beat me in length of chopstick usage by one whole year! Welcome to my blog....good to have you here.
skald..........As we get to know each other we have more and more in common. I thought seeing them in real life was the most exciting thing possible.
pickers....Hey good to see you!....How amazing that someone from the Philippines taught you to eat with chopsticks. I think they are not commonly used in the Phils. My friend flew from the Philippines to Canada via Cathay Pacific (Chinese airline) and when his meal was served it came with chopsticks. He was mortified that he had to ask for knife and fork.....hehehehe My opinion.....asian food tastes best when eaten with chopsticks! -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 23, 2007....
Pickersplock
Hi! How do you drink soup with chopsticks?? The Chinese use a spoon, while the Japanese drink straight from the bowl, and if they can't drink with chopsticks, nobody can..... hahahahahah
Botoni,
One whole year? You are that old? LOL :-))
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silverwhisper said on Apr 23, 2007....
botoni: no, not really. i just call things like i see 'em, man. and i should point out that susmaryosep has a pretty serious advantage on you re: chopstick usage. :>
ed -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 23, 2007....
Silverwhisper,
I am chinese, who learned the "trade" from his grandmother an Imperial lady from China! :-) . She hits your knuckles at dinner time if you are sloppy with the sticks.
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silverwhisper said on Apr 23, 2007....
i'm asian too and grew up using chopsticks--i do remember you, after all. however, since botoni hasn't had the pleasure of your company until now, i thought that such a comment might be helpful. :>
ed -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 23, 2007....
Silverwhisper,
You asian too? Fancy that... I always thought you were European/american, as someone correctly mentioned you are a slick tongue devil. hahaah. Which part of Asia, may I ask? :-)
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silverwhisper said on Apr 23, 2007....
my parents immigrated to the US several years prior to my birth. i don't however disclose what part of asia on SC.
ed -
botoni said on Apr 23, 2007....
Obviously susmaryosep has a huge advantage in regard to the use of sticks. I can use them and do but secretly I wish they had at least one with a sharp point so I could 'spear' some things and a hollowed center wouldnt be a bad idea either for those of us who are just a tinge on the inept side. (eg....everything I eat looks good on me.)
Silver you are asian......well whadayaknow! -
BombShell said on Apr 23, 2007....
Silver, I always pictured you as being an older wiser version of my husband. Now I picture you as Mr. Miagi. ;-) -
BombShell said on Apr 23, 2007....
Silver, I always pictured you as being an older wiser version of my husband. Now I picture you as Mr. Miagi. ;-) -
silverwhisper said on Apr 23, 2007....
it would be nice to have pat morita's money. although not so nice to have his current lack of, well, life... :>
ed -
BombShell said on Apr 23, 2007....
That guy was an 80's icon. The day he passed away was a sad one for anyone who ever used "wax on, wax off" in context. -
moonriver said on Apr 23, 2007....
botoni -- you described your story so well. why is it that the simplest childhood experiences often leave the strongest mark in our memories later? parade, fireworks, chinatown delights... you make this wannabe-child-again singularly envious!
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botoni said on Apr 23, 2007....
moonriver............thank you! You say the nicest things! It really was an incredible day and filled with sensual overload! I think we all should be children again now and then. -
skald said on Apr 23, 2007....
Botoni. so would I have tought too. ! -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 23, 2007....
Well, well, well! is this a page for the Asian 'aged' or what ? :-)))). blogging is good therapy for us in our golden years, right? -
mom said on Apr 24, 2007....
Bot- you said that beautifully. I love having memories like that one. Those are the ones that sustain us as we get older. I have fond memories of my father too. Did you feel melancholy after writing it? I felt that way after reading it. :) -
botoni said on Apr 25, 2007....
Susmaryosep.....the Asian aged are most welcome here....hehehe.....along with the rest of us ancient of days.
MOM.....aww thanks. Yes in some senses I was a bit melancholy but more I had a smile remembering how incredibly exhausted and yet exhilerated I was. I never pick up a chopstick without thinking of him. -
pickersplock said on Apr 25, 2007....
Susmary, you use the chopsticks for the stuff you can grab and drink from the bowl for
the rest. I don't do it often. My 8 year old is studying Japan in school and his class is
having lunch at a Japanese restaurant tomorrow, on Monday they had a tea ceremony
I wish I could go. Doesn't it sound like fun? -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 25, 2007....
chopsticks fun? I use them everyday, so it's a bore. I prefer to use my fingers.....
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mom said on Apr 25, 2007....
Sus- You are my kind of girl! -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 25, 2007....
Thanks, but I am male ! :-) -
mom said on Apr 25, 2007....
oops, sorry. I see the name Mary and well I should never assume. Sorry. Let me start over.Sus- You are my kind of guy! -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 26, 2007....
Thanks MOM. Actually 'susmaryosep' is a Filipino exclamation that is made up of words from the names JesusMaryJoseph !! It just means something like "oh my god" ... Hope that did not make you out of your mind? hohohoho
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botoni said on Apr 26, 2007....
kSusmaryosep.....mom has been out of her mind a long long time. Gender revelations dont rattle her at all! -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 26, 2007....
Is that so? Bein out of our minds can be quite fun too...... -
mom said on Apr 27, 2007....
Bot- I just saw this, just for that you don't get to hold my hand during my colonoscopy. You little man have been put on notice. -
botoni said on Apr 27, 2007....
Awwww damn!....Will you still hold my wee wee during endoscopy? -
mom said on Apr 27, 2007....
Bot- when you say wee wee, are you referring to urine or your woofer? If you are referring to your woofer, will it still be attached? Awww heck of course I will hold it regardless of what it is. -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 27, 2007....
mom,
Maybe you should do an endoscopy on his woofer? hahahahahah -
botoni said on Apr 27, 2007....
ARF ARF! -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 27, 2007....
Talking about dogs, read my post on the favourite "doggie" position!!!
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mom said on Apr 27, 2007....
sus- you are an opportunist lol. -
Susmaryosep said on Apr 27, 2007....
mom... as the proverb goes , "strike while the pussy is wet.." ? :-)
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