Chester goes to the Ichiban

     Suggestions were being made as to where to celebrate my little virtuoso's recital success.  Ichiban came up. My first reaction was a groan.  See, my Dad has always been quite vocal and "funny" about going places.  Now that he's 84, refuses to wear BOTH hearing aids and  is quite set on embarrassing  us I was simply scared of what would happen.  Add to that mix a cranky 5 year old and I just wasn't sure it was the best idea.  I walked in with a warning..."Dad, BEHAVE!!!"....to which he responded with a devilish grin..."Whaaaat???".
     I have realized, after being burned many times, that seating is key.  He was in the location to do the least possible damage.  I had to worry about his horrible fake Asian accent erupting at any given time.  The chef arrived to do his entertaining food prep and my shoulders rose to my ears.  In that moment I watched my Dad.  This man has seen war, the most famous city in the world transform through decades, a bazillion events in our time and too many things to even fathom.  I even tease him about helping to build the Ark.  Not much impresses him.  But as I looked upon the faces of my wide-eyed kids watching as the egg spun and the knives flew I realized he had the same expression.  I almost spit out my soda as the flames shot across the surface toward him...his face was priceless.  I laughed.  We all did.  In that moment my shoulders relaxed and we all had the nicest meal.   He might not have caught the broccoli in his denture filled mouth but he did give the chef a thumb's up at the end of the meal.  The funny guy with the chopping  skills and peeing doll had no idea what that takes.
     When I say nothing impresses the man please let me clarify.  Things of the world...fancy houses, shiny cars, extravagant goodies mean nothing to him.  His grandchildren, his family, his beloved wife, snuggly cats, etc...THEY are his world.  They can do no wrong and the simplest of things are the world's riches to him.   My Father taught me about the most precious of gems to be held in one's hands, the sweetest of moments to savor and the true gifts we attain in our lives...our family, our friends, our babies, our pets, our neighbors, our bandmates...etc.  It isn't easy to take him to something he has never done or seen before but the true victory tonight was watching him smile as he was with the ones he loves.