Friends.
The Starbucks Frappuccino holds a special place in my heart. No. Not the ones you order at Starbucks, but the ones you get in a bottle at the grocery story, 7-11, etc.
And not just ANY flavor, either - the MOCHA flavor.
Let me explain.
Back when I first met my dad (my step-step dad, technically, but I call him my DAD because that’s what he was … that’s what he’ll always be) he was living in Florida and was getting ready to have me visit for a weekend. My mom said he was a little nervous and wanted to make sure I felt comfortable, safe, accepted, etc. He planned to take us out on his boat one day and wanted to make sure he had the boat stocked with all of my favorite snacks.
What did I like most?
Tostitos Lime Chips.
Black Bean Salsa / Hawaiian Salsa
And.
Yes, bottled Mocha Starbucks Frappiccinos.
And so what did he do? He went to Sam’s Club with my mom and bought the biggest bags of chips they make, a giant jar of salsa, and a whole case of Frappuccinos - which he STOCKED the cooler with.
Yes, it was as awesome as it sounds!
There I was, cruising the high seas of Florida with my hair blowing in the wind, eating chips and salsa, and washing it back with Mocha Frapps. You say “gross”, I say “GIVE ME MORE!”
Phew.
It was something so simple, right? It’s just a stupid bottle drink. But, man … I don’t think there was ever a man in my life (certainly not a “father-figure”) who went out of his way to make sure that I had everything I wanted like that. He knew that my previous experience with father-figures wasn’t the best and he went out of his way to make me feel like a King that weekend … and every day after that.
He passed away 2 years ago today and my feelings are heavy. The time we had wasn’t nearly long enough - 20+ years has gone so, so fast.
Sigh.
I don’t really have any words for what I’m feeling, but as I sit here today with his picture on my desk and his voice ringing in my ears - I’ll be drinking a few Starbucks Frapps in his honor (my mom bought me a case today - from Sam’s Club, of course), remembering how he made me feel like I could do anything, how he believed in my dreams … how he believed in me.
I’ll never forget him.
As Billie Joe Armstrong writes in Wake Me Up When September Ends (a tribute to his own father who passed away when he was young) …
“Here comes the rain again falling from the stars; drenched in my pain again becoming who we are; as my memory rests; but never forgets what I lost.”
Thanks, Dad.
Glenn || PATREON / ART STUDIO
I love this remembrance. You surely were blessed, and I’m betting a blessing as well.