On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not neccesarily reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News)

34 years ago, I met a Somerville guy who I have been friends with ever since. We have become surrogate family members and he has remained one of my closest friends. We worked together for years and every day he would mention how his dream was to buy a little place and retire in Florida. I would just listen and casually nod and politely agree, but never thought much about it Рwouldn’t we all like to buy a little land and spend the harsh Somerville winters in Florida!

In 1997, he finally did it –  he bought a small hunk of land in Florida, built a home, and he and his wife have been driving back and forth every year since. Driving! Each year they would leave the seasonal chill of Somerville earlier and earlier, spending more time in their southern paradise, but it seemed that every year the long road trip (ten and a half of them to be exact) became more and more grueling on them – the exodus from Somerville (and later Wilmington) was starting to get to be a hassle, so they spread the driving out over three days to cut down on fatigue.

Maybe it was time to take their grown children’s advice and start flying back and forth. This seemed to be the logical thing to do, but there was only one problem – neither one of them had ever flown before. To those of us who have been lucky enough to be able to travel here and there over the years, it’s no big deal. My son was barely a year old when we flew for the first time Рjust imagine being in your mid sixties and never have gotten on an air plane. After years of thinking about it, and listening to family and friends suggesting it, the couple was ready to become members of the “jet set.”

The plan went like this: their two sons and I would fly down to Fort Myers and then fly with them back to Boston Рwe would be their “support group” and supply them with encouragement and reassurance. We went over the plan time and time again – but my friend was still a little nervous Рhe kept marveling at the whole concept of that big steel bird filled with people flying through the air.

He was a little more at ease when we reminded him that he could purchase adult beverages at the airport and then again on the plane. We got to the airport and went through the security check Рwe were all there giving him pats on the back as he took his shoes off and got screened. His son, who had just had a new titanium hip put in, was detained as he set off the metal detector Рsome Somerville people can’t go anywhere without causing a scene.

Then it was onto the plane РI’ll never forget the look on their faces as the plane took off and started its ascent. My pal was seated between his middle son and me, while “number one son” was seated with his mom across the aisle. As we flew over New York, my friend was amazed when he saw the Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building and Central Park. I joked a little later and told him I could also see Powder House Park, Red Bones and the Projects from the plane.

When we touched down in Boston, I said to my friend and his wife: “welcome to Logan Airport Рand the 21st Century.” So there it was – operation “fly the parents home” went off without a hitch – and what was once a tiring and harrowing three-day ordeal was transformed into a simple three and a half hour flight.

So, as you’re working your day-to-day job and thinking about someday spending your winters in Florida remember this Рdreams do come true, but as you continue to dream, make sure you sock a few bucks away too. Please e-mail your comments to Jimmy at: jimmydel@rcn.com