A day late....but make it count

This past Sunday, June 21, was Father's Day and I always try to post a pic or more of my Dad. He's been gone now for 14 years and the pics seem to be the usual ones . This year, while rummaging through some old slides, I found one of his funniest poses -- in the bathtub, reading a newspaper, smoking a pipe and wearing a brimmed black hat. I remember taking the profile shot many years ago as a surprise to slip into the slide tray at the next viewing of family photos. The FB post got a few laughs, especially from those who knew his sense of humor.. As the day slipped away, though, I had the nagging feeling there was something else I wanted to add to remembering his life as a father.

Recently, I began teasing my wife about taking things with her from a spot on the upstairs couch where we watch TV. I would remind her to take that empty glass or some other object that belonged elsewhere she left to go downstairs. "Make every trip count," I would mimic my Dad saying since I heard him say that many times. If you are going outside, he said, make sure you take out the garbage or if going inside, make sure you bring those items that belonged back in the house.

I'm not sure why this has suddenly popped into my head just recently. I tried to analyzed it and the more I thought about those four little words I realized the comment was more than what it seemed when my sister,, Mom and I would roll our eyes in jest. Make every trip count was sage advice from a man who made sure that every moment meant something. Perhaps to was the notion to not waste any motion. Or maybe it was a universal message - make sure that what you do has meaning, that every moment of your life is precious and a part of diminishing number of moments.

Funny how a throw-away line that conjured a humorist part of my Dad's advice now has grown into a textured meaning. The older I get, the more I imagine him smiling that the seed of a phrase finally matured.