Dear Dad,
On Saturday, G3 bridged over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. Due to the pandemic, and restrictions on indoor gatherings, they did not have a Blue and Gold Dinner. The Cub Scout master had a short ceremony for the boys outside at Duke Island Park. It was freezing and snow covered the ground, but the boys didn’t seem to mind. Before the ceremony, they were running around and throwing snowballs at each other. G3 had been looking forward to getting his arrow — representing the Arrow of Light — for months, and when he finally had it in his hands, he was all smiles. He and the other boys walked over the wooden bridge, but unlike in prior years, there were no Boy Scouts to greet them on the other side. The pandemic — and the need to keep the numbers low — kept them away
I cried when G3 crossed because I knew how much you had wanted to be there to see him. Two years ago — before we had any idea that a pandemic would sweep across the world and totally upset our lives — you told me that when G3 moved up to Boy Scouts I needed to get you and Mom tickets for the Blue and Gold Dinner. I probably would have gotten them for you anyway — if life had turned out differently. Damn, you hated driving into New Jersey. But you would have done it just to be there for your grandson. When G3 and I were discussing the event earlier this week and how badly you had wanted to be there, he said, “Even if there were tickets Grandpa wouldn’t need one. He’ll be there with me. I know he will.”
Since you couldn’t come, Mom came. We left Mattituck early and grabbed bagels for breakfast on the road. During the car ride, G3 spoke obsessively about his arrow, and Mom reminisced about when Middle Gary had his crossing over ceremony. Of course that reminded her of you which made her sad. We stopped in Queens so that I could take Mom grocery shopping. She didn’t plan to come back out to Long Island and I didn’t want her to be without food. Once she put the groceries away, we continued on to New Jersey. We got there with a little time to spare. Luckily traffic wasn’t too bad. In Jersey, Mom saw our new place. I think she liked it. She said it was a cute house, and commented that we had more room than in the condo. After G3 gave her a tour of the house she sat down in the living room and asked me to turn on the television. Lately, she can’t seem to function without the TV. Perhaps it’s because you aren’t here, and the constant chatter on the box makes the emptiness of your absence seem less oppressive.
My spouse drove to Duke Island. I was happy to take a break from the wheel. You know how much I dislike driving. Some of the boys wore their scout uniforms, other did not. G3 didn’t. After the move, I’m not sure where it is. No, that’s only partially true. His shirt is hanging in his closet, but I’m not sure where I packed his hat. Hopefully, we’ll unearth it soon. I didn’t think it really mattered that he wore jeans and a long sleeve tee-shirt. He was bundled up in a warm hat, jacket, and gloves. The group picture would have been nicer if everyone had been in uniform, but it was too cold.
Following the ceremony, we went back to our place and had pizza for dinner. We then got back in the car and returned to New York. I dropped Mom off at the city house and G3 and I continued on to the beach house. Luckily, again there was no traffic. I drove more than six hours only to end up where we started from. But it had been important to G3 and therefore, it was worth it.
I’m not sure when G3 will actually join Boy Scouts. He hates all things virtual, and the weekly meetings are held virtually. But the scouts are meeting more frequently now in-person on Saturdays. Initially, G3 said he wanted to wait until the pandemic was over. Wait until he didn’t have worry about Zoom. But now I think he is reconsidering. Seeing his friends on Saturday reminded him of how much he misses being with kids his own age.
I miss you!
Elizabeth Jaeger 