Dreams of my Father

       Not too long ago,
   I spoke with my father,

            He begun the conversation like,
                   he always did,

       Excited and to the point,
                 For,
      Christmas was just around the corner,
               And he knew i waited till the last minute.
              To shop,
      Every year,

Ring ring,
     ring ring,
     
      I answered
               "Papa Bear,
         What's up?"

           "I want a a new eagles hat"
                       the conversation began.

     "My old one is a little worn and scuffed up
           and I'd like you to get me a new one for Christmas".

           I smiled, "I think i can do that,
                  do you have any color reference on color
          or the old or new era?"
   
        "Nope,
   just nothing crazy,
         out of the ordinary you know."

 (Note: He does not like big words or crazy logos on hats just something simple. like a picture of the old school Philadelphia eagle from the 90s came to my mind)..

                      "Do you accept the challenge?" he stated?

     "I of course accept,
           but i;d like to get you a fitted hat this year
                          do you know what size you head is?"  I asked

           "I don't believe i have one of those.." sounding unsure.

   "Well do you think you could ball park it" I asked,
            "I could probably find a hat that has elastic in it that stretches.." I continued

        Large, extra Lar.......

      "Wait a second, I think I have an idea" he interrupted
                he gave a- grunt,
             Most likely rocking his body upward,
                  when he gets out of a comfortable location.

      I heard him walk to a closet,

             And tried to live by the sounds of his day,

                 the clutter the closet door makes,
                            when you open it too fast,
                                      (on tile)

                The click of the closet light,
                       When you pulled down a string,
                               as it brightens his way,

               And the rummaging through boxes,
                         to find what he needed.

           I finally had to interrupt him,
                   What in gods name are you looking for? 

           "STRING!" he exclaimed, and I FOUND IT!

             I started to giggle,
                      what exactly are you going to do?

                   Measure my head,
                        give me a second,

                 He put the phone down for a second,
                        with a thud,

                       After a a minute he came back,
                       23.5! 

                      23.5 that sounds a little big for a head are you sure about that?  I asked.

                               What do you mean I measured my head around, I stated my head was 23.5.

                I was getting ready to explain but he instantly knew his error,
                        "They must mean the radius" he exclaimed.
               
                   He found a had and measured to the center 7 1/2 he stated.

                        Sweet, I'll get a gift certificate just in-case. I replied.

                 We chatted briefly about fishing,
                            even though,
                                    It was December.

                       Talking about catching,
                                     the elusive trout,
                               and looking forward to bass season,
                                         reminiscing "about the great catch"

                              A period of fishing,
                                        Where we caught fish,
                                       non stop on the lake,
                                             for an hour and a half.
    
            I was going to give him Christmas ideas,
                       but he stated he already had me done.

                     And with the timer going,
                He said he would see me soon,
                            And to drive safe on my journey up,

                 And with that we said our good byes.

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                               For the last time.
       
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