happy birthday, Dad

I had this great dream the other night. I was somewhere like Seattle (or northern california, oregon... some populated area along the northern west coast). It was a really sunny morning, brilliant blue sky. I was rushing around my parent's house there (not actually their house that I grew up in, obviously... this is a dream!)trying to get everything together for a trip I was taking that day. I was SOOOOOOOOOOOO late for the flight. I had somehow scored the last seat on this little private jet out to one of the islands, where I was going to meet some friends. You could get to the island by driving, but the flight was so much easier.

Well as I was rushing around, my dad was sitting on the porch with a Jack Daniels. He said "Liz, why don't I just drive you?" I KNEW there was no way I was going to make the flight, but I figured my dad would be SO PUT OUT by driving me and probably hold it over my head for the rest of my life, so I said "No, that's OK." But he said "Really, I'll drive you. Just take your time, we'll go when you're packed, it's a really nice ride." So, I agreed.

Fifteen minutes later, Dad and I were in the red and grey Suburban, driving up the coast. It was the most beautiful blue sky afternoon, we didn't say much, just took in the views along the ride. As we were coming over the last bridge to the island I was supposed to be spending the weekend on, suddenly a plane fell out of the sky in front of us. It basically NOSEDIVED into the island right at the end of the bridge, and we had a perfect sightline of the whole thing. The plane was (of course) the one I was supposed to be on!

I was completely shocked. Panicked, actually. Dad just sipped his drink and continued driving over the bridge. Finally I said "Oh my gosh, Dad, that was my plane! I was supposed to be on that plane!" My dad, drink in hand, just smiled at me and said "See, kid, it all worked out." And then I woke up.

I miss my dad, but when he appears in my dreams like that (even though the dream was a bit weird) it's kind of fun to spend time with him.

Happy 78th birthday, Dad. Thanks for driving me to the island. :)