I'd Rather Be In Philadelphia

Louise Warner
EVWP Summer 2009


“If you have any further questions, please see me after class. Enjoy the rest of your day!” I said dismissing my students. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man walking up to my desk. I smiled up at him and realized it was my husband. How odd that Mark was here since he was in the middle of an strategic deployment exercise. As I looked up from my desk, I was blissfully oblivious as to why he was now gingerly reaching out his steady hand to mine. Mark's eyes fixed on mine.

“Lou, I have some news, and it's about your dad. He was rushed to the hospital. They tried to save him. I'm so sorry, but he's gone”

My mind raced. I wondered what he was talking about. My dad was fine. He was the picture of health!

“He had a massive heart attack.”

Now I understand. Poor Mark! It wasn't my dad; it was his dad. My dad was strong and healthy. Mark's dad was the one who recently had bypass surgery.

Mark continued to say more words. My mind froze.

“Lou...Lou...Lou...”

“What?”

“Did you hear me?”

I did not want to answer because then it would be true. Dear God, please don't let this be true.

What do I do next? How will I tell the children? What should I say to my mom? How is she handling this? I must call my brothers.

It took hours to fly from Kansas to New York. One of our stop overs was in Philadelphia. While waiting in the Philadelphia airport for our next flight, I gasped and sobbed uncontrollably when I read the word Philadelphia on one of the airport signs.

Suddenly I was eight years old. Dad, who was an avid reader and excellent speller, often queried my brothers to spell thought-provoking words. I always tried to keep up with my older brothers. Whatever they did, I wanted to do too. So Dad included me in the game and also gave me challenging words.

“OK, Louise, spell Philadelphia.”

Under close scrutiny, my teenage siblings sensed my uncertainty. Brushing the hair out of my eyes, I took a deep breath and hesitantly stammered “F-i-l-a...” Nervously rocking back and forth on my heels, unknowingly I was doomed from the first letter of this elusive word. Patiently Dad explained that ph could also make an f sound which I never forgot. With a reassuring wink, he moved on to the next word. He never missed a teachable moment.

The blury airport sign came into sharper focus as my tears began to dwindle and an unexpected smile crossed my face. Amazingly I giggled. What were the chances that this pilgrimage would take me through a city that would ignite such a vivid childhood memory. The city of brotherly love brought a joyous rush of memories. My heart strings were tugged in so many directions as I shared a heavenly laugh with my dad in Philadelphia.