Hardee's--- a Tuesday morning ritual

For over two years, Tuesday mornings meant driving Dad to Hardee's to get his breakfast before heading into the office. I would pack my car up and we would go to Hardee's and then to the office.. Sometimes we would stop by the Post Office if we hadn't checked the mail recently. 

Dad typically ordered the same thing: one of those biscuits with a fried egg and either bacon or sausage. He would sometimes order a senior coffee until we figured out it was cheaper to not do it that way and just get the combo. :) Hash rounds were part of the order and sometimes he would get a large becaI tended to take a few of them. 

When Dad passed, I knew Tuesday mornings would not be the same. I wanted to go by though and thank the window employee the years of service. That may sound odd, but she was part of our Tuesday routine.

Right after Dad passed, I was able to go by dialysis and drop off a thank you. But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to go to Hardee's. 

I drank my coffee on the deck or the outside table. I would go to the Post Office on the way to the office. But I couldn't get myself to Hardee's. 

Last night Mom cooked some bacon. I thought that would be great on a plain biscuit.

I drank coffee on the deck and packed the car. 

For the first time since Dad passed, I  didn't turn left out of the driveway to go to work. I headed out to the main road to go to Hardee's. 

It was all good until I saw the woman in the drive through. I was glad she was there. But I was nervous.  Would she think I was crazy?

When she handed me my change, I told her that I had been driving my visually impaired Dad to Hardee's for a little over two years and that I wanted to thank her for her kindness and service. I told her Dad passed in April. I wasn't able to say all that without tearing up. She responded by saying she was sorry, that she understood what that was like, and that she remembered me and Dad.

As I drove away, tears streamed down my face.

As I write this now, tears come.

As I drove away and headed to the Post Office, the song "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum came on the radio. I associate that song with the movie "Michael" with John Travolta. I enjoy the music and the lyrics. 

Lyrics: 

"When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky

Goin' up to the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Prepare yourself you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)

Oh he'll recommend you to the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die (when you die)
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best

Never been a sinner, I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up
with the spirit in the sky

Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best"

I looked over at the passenger seat at the Hardee's bag where Dad would be. My change was in the seat with the Hardee's bag. Dad always gave me the coins from the change, but would put away any paper money in his wallet. He amazingly kept things in order. He knew where things were. He impressed me with what all he could do with his impaired vision.

Grief is an odd thing. 

I am glad to have gone by Hardee's today to share my gratitude. 

I am grateful for the memories of such a special ritual and privilege. 

I am grateful for today's opportunity to remember Dad and to show my gratitude to someone who was a weekly part of our lives. 

Peace on the journey,

Deb