Welcome Back

When I was young my father use to watch a show called "Welcome Back Kotter". I always knew it was on, because I could hear that all familiar tune blaring from the TV in the living room. At the time it drove me crazy. It was just another boring adult sitcom. A teenager can only take so much of their parents shows before locking themselves in their room, wearing earplugs with their head face down on the bed and a pillow firmly hugged around their ears to help drown out the noise even more. Now, however, every time I hear that theme song I get these warm fuzzy feelings inside that take me back to my childhood. There good feelings however and ironically I now like the tune. (Doesn't God have a mystifying sense of humor). I picture myself sitting at the kitchen table doing homework while my mom does the dinner dishes and my dad relaxes in his recliner. I can hear him chuckle at some of the silly one liners John Travolta and the rest of the cast say. Ironically like the song, I am taken back to a place I never thought I'd go back too, or at the time wanted to come back to. I am taken back in time to a good memory that I misfiled somewhere in my mind with the DO NOT Open categories. I relish in this good feeling for a little while and my heart grows heavy with sadness for my parents who are miles away. Now I dont feel so bad when I refuse to turn the channel from little house on the prarie because my son thinks its boring. One day he will remember his mother crying her eyes out because Mary's eye operation to See again didnt work and he will smile. He'll wish for simpler times and a chance to be in his parents presence as he experiences their realness, their vulnerability, what makes them laugh. I miss my father, and I would love for a chance to hear that all familiar tune again to "Welcome back Kotter" along with his chuckle as he relaxes and is just.......Him.