Tuesday, April 21, 2009

THE MIDNIGHT CALL

God bless his soul, my dad was a big ABC's "Night Line" fan, thanks to Ted Koppel.Even after some Indian dude with a bad British accent took over the show my parents still watched it from bed at the end of the night. As soon as the show signs off, that's when the midnight call from my mother comes my way and it's always the same conversation.

MOM: Hello Mad, are you at work yet?
ME: Yes mom, how are you?
MOM: Did you have something to eat?
ME: Yes mom!
MOM: Did you rest well?
ME: Yes mom!
MOM: Did you pray for your safety tonight? (Mom is a die-hard Catholic)
ME: Yes mom!
MOM: Please don't pick up bad people!
ME: I will try not to mom!
MOM: I love you! Say good night to your father, I will put him on the phone...


...and it is still the same conversation, same time, but no "say good night to your father!" anymore.

God I miss my dad!

Please don't forget the homeless,

Mad Cabbie.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mad,

I too was surprised to see that dude on Night Line. Aren't there any good journalists for hire in the US?

Time will heal Mad, you will still miss your dad but time will take away the pain.

Moi

Anonymous said...

Mad,

I too was surprised to see that dude on Night Line. Aren't there any good journalists for hire in the US?

Time will heal Mad, you will still miss your dad but time will take away the pain.

Moi

Red said...

So sorry Dude! Must be even tougher for Mom. My heart goes out to you.

Silver Spring Penguin said...

I had a similar ritual with someone who was very close to me. That person passed recently, and now "good night" is tough to say.

The only consolation: Our loved ones are always with us, and I think it's still okay to wish them "good night".

God be with you and your family, Cabbie.

Anonymous said...

MC, glad you are back. Peace to your father and family.

John said...

Keep safe MC, Don't scare the shit out of those bad guys.
Try to think of the good things through the years.
I know much of the time I spent with my dad was strife for sure. But it made me a better parent I hope.

vm said...

I think you guys should still say "goodnight" to your father even she can't put him on the phone now.

Mad Cabbie said...

Thanks guys! Sorry for the downer story. It's the first time that I felt like deleting a post.

an orange county girl said...

my mom tells me the exact same things every day but in Spanish (well, except the Don't Pick Up Bad People part).

mad, i'm sorry about your dad. :(