My start time at work keeps getting earlier and earlier.
It doesn’t bother me much, the fluctuation gives me something to think about as I’m trying not to pass out from being there three hours earlier than I normally am.
The anniversary of my father’s passing happened two days ago, so my work schedule really started making me think about his job when I was very, very young.
From our home, he would travel by bus to Downtown Houston. I can’t imagine how long that actually took for him to do, daily, but I’m getting an idea now as my commute gets radically longer or shorter depending on what time I have to be there.
So, we’re a single car family, he’s saving cash by taking the bus (which would take FOREVER, even in the 70’s) and then walking home from the bus stop.
One time, before I was old enough to “cross the street by myself”, I found myself running across the street to the school and looking down the road to see if he was walking toward the house. I thought I was pretty sneaky, since I made sure to run fast. Traffic was never really an issue with our neighborhood so I didn’t get hit or anything, but he did end up seeing me run across the street. He wasn’t supremely mad (that I can remember) but as my brother and I were left to our own devices 90% of the time, I suspect his anger was misplaced.
I can still remember him walking down the road toward the house. It’s etched in my memory.
I wanted to find a nice clean shot of that street, but if you clicked the link above you’ll see that everybody and their brother was around that morning. Even the crossing guard is waving at the Google Car. Google Maps updated the ‘hood in March of 2010. I’m kind of bummed that I didn’t get a good pic to throw in, but seeing that the homeowners of my old childhood home cut down one of the big trees was pretty surprising. And seeing the condition of the lawn/yard the HOA must be going nuts. They didn’t like us (for whatever reason) but at least our yard was in good condition.
Miss you dad.