6 • June 2016 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.
Father’s Day Surprise
by Gabriel A. Fraire ~
gafraire@comcast.net Healdsburg, CA. ~ At 6:00
a.m. my youngest daughter, not quite three, came and put her hand on my head. I was still in bed. Then she said, “Dad, don’t get up, we have a surprise for you.” I dozed back
off to sleep, some time must have passed, two of them came this time. “Dad we planned a spe- cial Father’s Day surprise for you but it wasn’t this one.” Said the oldest. “Yeah, daddy, mommy is sick.” Said the youngest.
I rolled out of bed and sol- diered forward. Around noon I sat down and tried to figure out
where the morning had gone. The house looked a mess, the kids weren’t completely dressed, I hadn’t even begun to get any of my work done.
I have to admit the girls were pretty good. I think the candy I gave them and the two videos I rented helped. Okay, call me a whimp.
As I toiled through the day trying to juggle my job and my kids and a sick wife I realized that this was truly a Father’s Day. I had no choice but to be a father and a moth- er.
My wife and daughters had planned a special Father’s Day dinner. But with being sick there was no way my wife was going to help them cook, and she asked that we not do any cooking ei-
ther, just the smell would have done her in. So we made sure to pick up some hot dogs when we went for the videos. I was plan- ning to cook them outside but as the day wound down... hey, the kids like cold hot dogs. We read a few books and the girls went down pretty easily. I checked on the wife, she was asleep. I grabbed a beer went outside, sat down, kicked off my shoes and smiled. I love being a father. I don’t need a special day to remind me.
Tese columns are excerpts
from the book Daddy I Need to Go Potty by Gabriel A.
Fraire. Fraire has been a writer more than 40 years and is the current Literary Laureate of
Healdsburg. He can be reached through his website: gabriel-
fraire.com
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The Verbal Commute ... continued from page 3
Sonoma County wishing their community had a paper like Upbeat Times. You see, all of us are a bit tired of the harshness of negative news reporting. It seems to perpetuate negativity. It makes people want to hide. I’d like to think that I bring peo- ple out into the sunshine, so to speak. And it does appear, and it is great to see, what some people call my competitors(I have none) are finally coming out into the sunshine to join me. I applaud those venues from the bottom of my heart. I know we can make life just a bit better if we keep a more posi- tive theme...even if it is made with baby steps. I am a pioneer. I’ve recreated
the news industry, where in most cases it is falling apart. I know people say it is because of the digital world. Partially it is, but that is because there is not enough fun and good news to choose from in standard print. I’ve brought
the good times
back. Are you in? I am! May this issue find you well!
super-sweet love story that is all too human, kind, and fun. Although I have
yet to try this, I am told that Te Cri- terion Collection is first-rate. Tey have gathered the greatest films from around the world to make available to wider audiences than ever. Check up on them online. Tey offer a lot and headquarters are at 215 Park Ave
Weird Facts & Fun Trivia - 2
Research has shown that the mere physical act of smiling, without actually feeling like it, triggers internal biologi- cal reactions that stimulate emotions and contribute to a better mood – in you and others.
The birthstones for June are the pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone.
The birth flower for June is the rose.
The zodiac signs for June are Gemini (May 21 - June 20) and Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
On June 1, 1792, the state of Kentucky, also known as the Bluegrass state, became the 15th state of the United States.
A Smiling Moon! ... continued from page 5
South, 5th floor, NYC, NY 10003. May your June be
upbeat, filled with as much fun as Edward Lear
could
cally conjure: pily,
happily,
magi- “Hap- passed
those days!/ While the cheerful Jumblies
staid;/Tey danced in circlets all night long,/--In moonlight, shine, or shade.”~“Guarda la luna!”
Ah! the Valley of the Moon! ~Ellie
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6 • June 2016 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.
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