Maybe it's the second or third...well regardless as my dad would say this is my story I'm not going to let facts get in the way.
It's not the mere fact I'm not hanging out with Big Al today, or the fact I'm 6,000 miles away on another continent -- it's strange for me to realize I haven't seen him or a any of my family in over four months!
People constantly ask me "Don't you miss your family?" to which I stare blankly for a little and then try to muster up a non-sarcastic response or roll my eyes. OF COURSE I miss my family, when you've been as blessed as I have, a day doesn't go by when you don't think about your mom and dad, your uber cool sister, or your two dogs which are totally cuter and more kick ass then your dogs.
I'm out exploring the a small part of the world these days not to run away from home, hide from some past demons, avoid the FBI (maybe the CIA) but not the FBI, or anything of that nature. I'm here because my parents have always taught me to follow my heart -- sure you'll fuck up at times and succeed beyond your wildest imagination at others -- but follow your heart, do what you believe is right.
Here I am with their blessing. I'm sure they'd like to have me home, cook me dinner -- or take me out to sushi, but we've had plenty of that and while who knows what the future holds -- I believe there will be plenty more of that to come.
For now while my knees are still in tact, my heart still burning with a passion to explore, and my wallet above the red I'll be out here -- maybe Israel -- maybe Europe or Austrlia, but definitely not Canada or Egypt.
Today my dad will be enjoying a cigar or two at Smith Mountain Lake, playing backgammon, and quenching his thirst with some beers -- or, unfortunately more likely a Mike's Hard Lemonade. I'll be in Kiryat-Ata, Israel enjoying a shakshouka dinner and a Sunday evening yoga class.
So a happy father's day to you pops, lord knows -- and more importantly your kids know you deserve it to be a relaxing one-- please drink your fruity drinks responsibly, and although you won't let's try to keep the jokes somewhat appropriate today.
Screw it, if it makes people laugh it's funny.
While I continue my adventures here, I'd like to send a congratulations to my cousin Danny who is enjoying a wild adventure of his own; his first father's day with his less then a week old baby Emily Claire Crincoli who came into this world on June 15th.
However with the good unfortunately comes the sad, because today my Uncle Bill will experience his first father's day without his baby boy Dalton who passed away last August after a six year battle with Ewings-Sarcoma cancer. Not a day goes by we don't remember Dalton, but I can't imagine today not hurting just a little bit more. Can you?
How wild the spectrum of emotions one day can create.
"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years."
