Yesterday was Father's Day, so I went home to visit my parents and see my family. It was one of those days that you see in a movie like Home For the Holidays. It was one of those days that is bittersweet in the sense that you know that you love your family beyond words and you are glad that you live far enough away for your sanity. You also realize that you are growing older and your parents are growing older.
What made me suddenly nostalgic about my family. My dad bought a 8mm projector from the guy next door and we watched home movies my parents took. There is something about watching a 8mm movie without sound. I watched my parents younger than I am now smile, laugh, fall down dunes, play with their first born son and daughter, and just generally have a good time. It was amazing, while sitting there watching my parents watch themselves 40 years ago, I had the sudden realization that they are aging. Not in a oh my god my parents are OLD, but in a wow they have been through a lot. They have a lot of memories, they have had a lot of joy, and these are their twilight years.
The best video of the after was watching my father on my parents honeymoon run down Sleeping Bear Dune and lose one flip-flop, oh there is the second one...he veering dangerously off bal...oh damn there he goes face first into the sand...then cut...he is trying to nonchalantly walk down the dune to my mother, who judging by the camera shaking, is laughing hysterically. The best part of watching that video was my mom making my dad rewind it and play it back in slow motion.
It was a magical day....thanks Dad...
