Drinks on the Island
I have a funny story to tell you.
I was 12 years old when I went on a boat trip with my biological father to an island in Maine called Isleboro. I was 4 years old when my parents divorced, and would see my father once a year. It was always exciting to spend time with him. He was a fun loving person and had a zest for adventure.
One day my father and his friends organized a picnic on a nearby island. We arrived, by boat, at the island 40 minutes away and started to collect flat rocks to cook steaks on. We built a large fire and put the rocks amongst the flames. Once the rocks were hot, we pulled the rocks out of the fire and placed the steaks on the rocks. The steaks were then seared by the heat of the rocks. The salt from the ocean added seasoning to the meat.
We settled into eating our lunch and soon realized that the only beverages available were bloody mary’s. I remember feeling very thirsty and realizing that the only drink available contained vodka. (Remember that I was only 12 years old!) With my father’s permission I drank the Bloody Mary. I will never forget the buzz from the alcohol. I felt dizzy and talkative at the same time. I realized that it was inappropriate but I really loved the feeling. I was stuck between being thirsty and getting a little drunk. Despite being quite underage, I chose the buzz. This was the first time that I got drunk. From this day forward, Bloody Mary’s have been my favorite drink. I love Bloody Mary’s!
Just so you know, I never went on another picnic with my father without there being non alcoholic beverages such as water or coca-cola. He had understood that there were problems serving a 12 year old a stiff drink. But I think he also enjoyed the fact that I got a secret thrill that his daughter had tasted this forbidden fruit.
I love this story because it reminds me how fun loving my parents' generation was. I love this story because it is outrageous, and it shows what a fun loving person my father was. And yet I also know my peer group of parents would NEVER EVER let there be anything but the most healthy of drinks on a picnic like that. There would be lemonade, water, and maybe even possibly some carrot juice.
Our parents’ generation believed in a more hands off approach, don’t you think? They did not believe in helicopter parenting. They believed that children should have more freedom to make their own decisions and even their own mistakes. Sometimes I have to really remember that when I am parenting my own kids.
Speaking of, Ben is graduating from college this spring. Oliver works as a scientist in Boston and Claire is studying Anthropology and is finishing her second year in college. I’m channeling my dad. Not by offering drinks on a tiny island (!) but trying to let them figure out what’s next. I do believe they will.
I just had a scan and it showed that my cancer is stable and that I am responding to the chemo. This is good news. Thank you for reading my stories! Thank you for being in my life!
Jessica
