Yesterday, I was perched at the front counter working when a familiar
face strolled by. I called to him by name and he turns around to say “Juli!
There you are, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Well, that was a nice greeting! Apparently, the Doc had seen me about
half an hour earlier on the other side of the property as I toured an Expo. He
was at one of the booths handing out tomato plants. I had walked right by and
he was unable to get my attention, so he came looking for me.
The Doc is Dad to both my and my brother’s best friends from school
and our Basketball Coach for years. Our families were always together growing
up. Friday was Pizza Night, Saturday was Sleep-Over Night, Sunday was Church
Day. At least one night a week was Bonanza night at what is now the local Uno
Pizzeria with the same owners, also in our Church Family.
Our houses were about a mile from each other, as the kiddos walked. A little
bit more having to go by way of car. And our parents used to trust the world
enough to let us walk back and forth to each other’s houses with only the
promise of a phone call once we got there. I can remember doing this as far
back as probably 4th grade. I would never imagine allowing that in
today’s world.
The Doc and my Dad still get together regularly for lunch and an
occasional beer. But the rest of us have moved on and away. So it was very nice
to play catch up with him. We sat bragging about his grandkids and my kiddos
and showing off pictures. I asked questions about his retirement and he asked
questions about my work. It was nice reminiscing.
I learned a lot from the Doc all those years on and off the court. He
was always someone I looked up to, listened to, and respected. It was a great,
surprising, unexpected Doctor visit.
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