I think every father looks forward to Father’s Day. Some dads are happy when their kids bring them breakfast in bed, or give them a handmade card with a tie for a present. Yes, I’ve experienced those events and then some throughout my 20-plus year career as a father.
But for someone like myself who’s lived in the area his entire life, there’s no better experience (at least for me) then spending Father’s Day down at the Jersey Shore.
First, there’s waking up and finding a couple of Father’s Day cards propped up on top of the kitchen table. They’re the best because they all come from the heart of my family. Each one is different. The card from my children is usually light and funny, with little private jokes and drawings written in between the words and pictures that Hallmark has already supplied. My wife’s card is serious and touching, reflecting on our life together now and into the future.
Around 9AM, we all go out to pick up my parents and mother-in-law for a family breakfast at one of the Jersey Shore’s local diners. The meal is peppered with conversation from everyone there about local news and people. Sometimes, I learn more about what’s going on in the area from situations like this than from any newspaper that I read.
I consider myself very fortunate to still have my dad around. About six years ago, he got a health scare when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Luckily, it was diagnosed at an early stage and treated. He’s been close to six years cancer-free now. The side effects of his treatment had slowed him down a bit, but he continues to improve every day.
My father-in-law passed away about 14 years ago, but I truly enjoyed his company while he was around. He was a Veteran who enlisted in the Army in the early 1940’s and served five years. After his service time was up, he got a job at Fort Monmouth and never looked back for 30 years.
I think he liked me as a son-in-law because I worked at Fort Monmouth just like he did – we both worked to support the soldier in the field.
After a hearty breakfast, no one has any thoughts about eating our next meal until dinnertime. We drop the parents off back at their homes, then we head back to our place for some relaxation. Around 1PM, I head on over to the Promenade’s Great Lawn, where the annual Long Branch Cruisin’ The Jersey Shore car show and concert is held. Tons of vintage automobiles line the roadway once known as Old Ocean Avenue for one and all of us fathers to check out. The music group RB Express is performing on the Stage on the Great Lawn, singing the old-time doo wop classics. The weather is beautiful – sunny with a slight ocean breeze.
After a couple of hours of car-watching, I head back home for some rest before dinner. This is one of the parts of the day that I like best, because I get to pick the restaurant. This year, the choice is Old Man Rafferty’s in Asbury Park. Dinner consists of a few appetizers, then a steak dinner for me that’s to die for.
After dinner, we head on up to the old Asbury circuit, and I begin to reminisce in my own mind about my days as a youth hanging out there. Times sure have changed things. There aren't as many rides and amusements around as there once were, now replaced by numerous upscale restaurants. The miniature golf, however, still remains.
Then it’s a ride through Deal to head on home to Long Branch, a little weary but happy that the day went off so well.
This year’s Father’s Day was a definite “10”, and only 364 more days until the next one.
(You can also follow Kevin Cieri’s blog on his Facebook page, “Jersey Shore Retro” as well as on Twitter at @jsretro).
