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Flying With My Father

As Father’s Day approaches, Doreen McGettigan affectionately recalls her favorite memory of her dad. Read more from Doreen on her blog

Flying With My Father

My father was so proud of me when I got straight A’s on my final report card of first grade at Saint Christoper’s Catholic School in northeast Philadelphia.

The next day he put me in his little red MG and drove me to a children’s clothing store. With the help of a pretty young saleswoman we picked out a sleeveless pink and white seersucker dress. The woman then suggested a white hat with a pink bow, pink ruffled socks, white patent leather shoes and a small white pocketbook to match. I thought the outfit was beautiful and I felt so special I couldn’t stop smiling.

When Dad asked the saleswoman to add a sweater and a bathing suit, I was a bit confused but continued smiling. My confusion only grew as I left that store wearing my new bathing suit underneath the new dress.

I thought about the Father’s Day card I made for him in art class that morning. Should I give it to him early or wait until Sunday?

An hour later, I was sitting in a first-class window seat being served a Shirley Temple with extra cherries.

My father worked for Eastern Airlines. He was the VIP Representative, which basically meant he had drinks all day with people the airline deemed important enough to schmooze.

Seated next to me, sipping on a Chivas Regal and smoking a Marlboro, Dad explained he was taking me to Ft. Lauderdale in Florida for the day. The trip was a reward for my perfect report card. We spent the afternoon on the beach, had dinner at a fancy outdoor restaurant where I chased geckos and begged Dad to catch two of them and let me take them home.  He laughed and said they could not live in Philadelphia because of our cold winters.

Shortly after take- off on the return flight, the attendant took me into the cockpit. The pilots let me ‘fly’ the plane. The Captain gave me a set of gold plated wings (not the plastic ones) and told me to go back to my seat because he had a surprise for me. The surprise was a spectacular light show provided by the Gemini VI Rocket that was launched from the Kennedy Space Center.

After seeing the rocket, the flight attendant handed me a little pillow and a soft blanket. I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I was back in Philadelphia in my father’s arms. I was so cold and in a lot of pain. I was as red as a lobster. It was painful to have my dad hold me so I walked.  My brand new patent leather shoes pinched my sunburned feet tighter and tighter with each step I took. I was so relieved when we finally reached the MG and headed out onto the Schuylkill Expressway. I curled up in the tiny space behind the seats and thought about what a nice Dad I had. The clock on the dashboard said 12:05. I told him Happy Father’s Day.

That was only the first trip of many that we took together.

When my dad got sick, I flew down to Florida to be with him and my mother as often as I could. He passed away in January of 2014. On the flight home, there was a man sitting next to me drinking Chivas Regal. I smiled through my tears.

Every time I look up at the sky and see an airplane, I miss my Dad. Whenever I travel, I feel like he is right beside me.

Doreen McGettigan

When Doreen’s brother was murdered, she was shattered. She dove head first into working; writing and learning. Anything to keep herself from feeling or dealing with her loss and the complete unraveling of her family. Doreen was fortunate enough to come in contact with some very special people at the Network of Victim Assistance. She joined a Homicide Survivors Group and then became active in the state of Pennsylvania’s largest and most comprehensive victim service organization, NOVA, as an advocate, board member and speaker. She has become a voice for those affected by violence and bullying. She has also become a champion for the elderly; who sometimes have trouble admitting they have been victimized. Doreen has written for several Philadelphia area newspapers. She is now a respected freelance journalist, content writer, ghostwriter and author. She works part-time as a caregiver for the elderly, most of whom are hospice patients. She is an active member of and also sits on the board of The Press Club, is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, the Nonfiction Authors Association, LB Creative Writers, Hot Pens, BC Speaker’s Bureau, and a workshop facilitator. She also owns a marketing company. The author lives in Delaware County, Pa. just south of Philadelphia with her husband John and two little dogs. Doreen and John have 5 grown children (2 more in heaven) and 13 grand children (their own little cult). Their lives are not boring.Instagram: doreenmcgettigan

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Doreen McGettigan

Monday 15th of June 2015

That is the sweetest comment ever, Ruth. xxxooo

Ruth Curran

Monday 15th of June 2015

When I retire all I want to do is curl up with your writing and let it hug me forever. Another beautifully told story and I again I felt I was right there with you, sunburn and all! Thank you!

Mary

Monday 15th of June 2015

What a wonderful memory you have with your dad! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Doreen McGettigan

Monday 15th of June 2015

Thank you Mary.

Helene Cohen Bludman

Monday 15th of June 2015

I love this story! What a special dad to treat his daughter to such amazing experiences. Lovely memory, Doreen.

Doreen McGettigan

Monday 15th of June 2015

He was a lot of fun. I really do miss him this week.

Ines Roe

Monday 15th of June 2015

What a lovely memory with your dad. I can just picture the whole trip and how special that was for you. The way you write the memory makes it come so alive. I have a memory with my dad too who died when I was 11. The memory involves blue slippers - that I still have!

Doreen McGettigan

Monday 15th of June 2015

You were so young, I'm so sorry. I am glad you were able to maintain a memory.

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