Window On The Harbor

My father was the chief engineer of a ship called the U.S.S. Orizaba; as such, he was often at sea away from our home in Brooklyn. Usually, my mother would be notified in advance whenever his ship would sail into port. I recall one of his visits home, however, that took me by surprise.

I must have been about 10 or 11. “Let’s take a walk to the piers,” my mother suggested one day. My brother Donald and I didn’t expect to find anything out of the ordinary. But, all of sudden, our father appeared out of nowhere.

My brother shouted with delight and raced toward the gangplank into his arms. I did my best to keep up. I can still hear the pitter-patter of my tiny steps. When I finally reached my father, he took me in his arms. I can’t remember if it was my birthday or not, but it sure felt like one. That surprise visit from my father was one of the best gifts I ever received.

by Dot

The Birthday Present Of A Lifetime

I remember the very wide living room
in my parents’ home.
It had a wide window
overlooking the harbor.
My brother Don and I waited there
until my Dad’s ship
came into view.
We would get so excited
watching
as his ship came right up
to the foot of our street.

by Dot