Special Moment

Part 1: What moment do you most wish you had a photograph of?

“Haircut Day”

When, I was a young boy, I use to take the bus from my home in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts into the city of Worcester to get my “Ivy League” haircut from Martin the barber.  The bus cost 15 cents and the haircut cost 90 cents, which gives you an idea of the time period of this event.  I would get off the bus at the Worcester Bus Station next to the Worcester Common and run across the common to reach my father’s office located in the Mechanics Building on Main Street downtown.  Entering the building, I knew when I was getting close to my Dad’s office by the smell of cigar smoke drifting in the hallway.  My grandfather smoked cigars and Dad smoked a pipe.   They worked together at the Atwell Company and sold dictation machines.  Their names were painted in gold letters on the glass window of their office door, Arthur L. Sullivan and Larry Sullivan.  My Dad’s name was Arthur L. Sullivan Jr.  To avoid confusion, my Dad used his middle name Lawrence (Larry) at work.  Dad would greet me with a handshake and give me 90 cents for my haircut.   I would head out of the office to the elevator across the hall to go the sixth floor where Martin’s Barber Shop was located. 

Once upon the elevator, the elevator man would close the steel gate and we were off to the sixth floor.  You could see each floor appear through the gate as we went up the elevator shaft.  Upon arriving on the sixth floor, the elevator man would pull back the gate so I could exit.  Martin would greet me as I entered his shop with a friendly smile and say hello David.  I would tell him that my Dad said I should get an Ivy League haircut.  I would climb up into the big chair and he would wrap me in a large black and white striped robe and begin clipping.   Dad would always arrive just as Martin finished.  He would tell me I looked splendid and I would beam with pride.  I would hand Martin the 90 cents for the haircut and Dad would give me another 10 cents for a tip.  I would give the dime to Martin and he would say thank you David once again with a warm smile.    Dad and I would say goodbye and head to the parking lot to go home. 

The parking lot was located at the top of a steep hill about two or three blocks from building, which seemed like a mile to me.  We would go out the side door of the building and head up the street.  My Dad was a track star in high school and college and he walked fast.  Keeping up with him going up that hill was very difficult.  He would take long strides while I struggled, practically running to keep up with him.  Every now and then, he would look down at me, smile and say splendid haircut David, very handsome.  I was one very happy kid despite my huffing and puffing attempting to keep up with my Dad.  However, it didn’t matter because this was my very own special time alone with my Dad.  I had two brothers at home who were always my competition for my Dad’s attention and affections.  I was the middle son.  However, Dad showed no favorites.  But on haircut day, it was just my Dad and I walking up that hill together to the parking lot in downtown Worcester.  I always felt like his favorite on that day.  Although this moment is vividly imprinted in my mind as my story surely embellishes, I wish I had a photograph of Dad and me walking up that hill together.

Part II: Please describe the importance of the chosen moment from your life, and why no photograph exists.

My father was my hero, my only hero and my mentor throughout my life.  I always regarded his advice with respect because I knew it came from love.   He never guided me wrong, although sometimes during my teenager years when I knew it all, it was difficult at times to agree with him.  But, he was always right.  He said I would look handsome with an Ivy League haircut, so that’s what I requested from Martin.  The greatest advice he gave me, which became my mantra throughout my life was to live in the present moment and follow your passion.

No photograph was taken that day because there was only the two of us walking up that hill.   However, I wish someone with a camera were there that day to take a picture of Dad and me walking up that street together in downtown Worcester.  It would definitely be in a frame and proudly displayed on the wall in my home.

This summer, I had an opportunity to sail my friend Scott's sailboat on the ocean out of Ogunquit, Maine.  It was the largest boat I have ever sailed.  It was 26 feet long with a 10-foot beam (wide), 450 square feet of sail with a 2000-pound keel.  It was a magnificent boat.  I was at the wheel, which controlled a very responsive rudder.  There was a strong Easterly wind that day causing swells up to three feet, which caused the boat to be pushed towards the shore.  It was difficult to keep a true course as we were constantly being tossed by each successive wave.  However, it was an exhilarating experience!   After our sail, walking up from the dock, I realized that I didn’t ask anyone aboard to take a photograph of me sailing that beautiful boat!  Darn!  I wondered why I didn’t think of it.  I had my iPhone with me!

Then, I understood.  I was living in the present moment and following my passion for sailing at the time of that experience!  However, the next time I have the opportunity to sail my friend’s boat, I will definitely have someone on the boat take a photo of me!