As the sound of Garth Brook's newest album broke the peaceful slumber of the household, Dad put on his apron and started to make his signature breakfast; grape-nuts with molasses and hot water. Our internal clocks never seemed to mesh with that of our father, so as we dragged ourselves out of bed and into the living room our disgruntled expressions were all too visible. This never bothered Dad though, he just continued raising the flag outside in the Arizona sun so we could say the pledge of allegiance before going about our daily routines.
Dad: Rise and Shine! time to meet the day with a smile!
Brennan: Bo, put a shirt on...that's gross.
Bowman: Mind your own business, besides shirts are overrated.
Creed: Did you guys read that last issue of Calvin and Hobbes yet??
Stryder: Credit Card!!!
Shaffer: Keep your hands to yourself! That's a family rule...
Britton: Just say the pledge and leave each other alone!
After these, our routine morning conversations, we sat down to breakfast anywhere we could, seeing as a normal dining table could not accommodate such a large family (to this day I don't think our entire family has sat at a dining table together!) My favorite spot was on the ledge in front of the fireplace. I think it was my fascination with having a little nook to myself that attracted me to this particular place. A special space where I could be left alone. (I was recently reminded that family members would occasionally find me in the closet with a book or fallen asleep behind the couch.)
After breakfast we had a scripture study. Dad would start us off, and we would all try to be as quiet as we could, because when he reads he surrenders to the peace and quiet. His eyes would close slowly, and then the words start to trail off. Not that we didn't enjoy just reading the scriptures, but there was something about that sweet spirit that my father's snoring brought... Next came schoolwork which would break for lunch and then continue until about 2pm. Then we were off to a day full of chores, sprinklers and shaved ice in the backyard, and sitting on the warm metal box around the swamp cooler to play Down By The Banks.
With this being the beginning to a normal day in the Spillane household, you can imagine how we turned out the way we did- great memories of Dad, and a complete and utter loathing for Garth Brooks.
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