Gone, gone, gone...

I heard from my grandfather that my dad leaves for Puerto Rico tomorrow. I’m glad he’ll finally be gone. As I said, him being away keeps me from worrying he’ll invade my world. Besides, I’m glad he’s leaving because he wants to be there. Actually, I believe there’s no place he’d rather be. He loves the spirit of the land and seems to strive to be like a native – well, as much as he possibly can. Puerto Rico provides him a completely different way of life than he’s used to. Also, it offers him a place to hide from his family, his on again/off again friends and girlfriends, and most of all, his problems.
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I imagine he is beside himself with excitement today. I don’t necessarily think Puerto Rico is where he should be, but I am happy for him. If you had heard him talk about his travels there, you’d think that is where he’d like to call home (rather than Louisiana, where he has lived for nearly 60 years and claims to love so much).
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I do think it is strange that my dad is going away – still in our country but “away” – for 3 months. But really, I’m won’t have to find a way to deal with his departure. My dad hasn’t ever been consistently present in my life. He’s that to the left, to the right, down on the ground, up in the air, here today, gone tomorrow type. And really, even the times he was there, he wasn’t necessarily there if you know what I mean.
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Anyway, as I was saying, you should hear my dad speak of Puerto Rico and tell stories of his travels (food he ate, the people he met, the sights he took in, etc). Anything and everything about Puerto Rico seems to have such a peculiar but tremendous effect on him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him speak about anyone or anything with such passion.
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Maybe he should move there as he has spoken of doing several times over the last few years. Maybe that’s where he should be permanently. Maybe that’s where he feels understood and accepted. Maybe Puerto Rico is magical…maybe it enables him to live a life where he feels complete. Do you think that place somehow transforms all of the wrong he’s done to right? Or that maybe it taught him how to believe with all of his heart and soul that his character flaws are not flaws at all…instead, they make him the beautiful person he is and to say “F you” to all those that disagree? All I know is that Puerto Rico is near and dear to his heart. That place and its people have found a way to connect with my father in ways that no one or nothing else has. With that being said, I must congratulate Puerto Rico. She has breathtaking beauty and extraordinary composition that cannot be surpassed or even matched. She has won my father’s heart. Personally, I think he should devote the rest of his life to her and credit her for any and all happiness he claims to have found. Without her, he is lonely and lost. I might sound bitter, but I truly am happy they found each other.
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If you would like to read about Puerto Rico, the best place in my father’s world, click HERE.
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Until next time, adios amigo.
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