This picture means so much more to me than most. If you look behind my father you can see his camaro. This is the car i learned to drive in. I actually learned to drive right there at the inlet in wildwood nj. With my dad watching closely of course. Also, If you look to the left of this picture you will notice a small flood prone ranch house. We always checked this house out when on vacation and he always said if he had enough money and could land a job at the shore he would love to live there. After years of contemplating we acually called the owner and found out she lived in Delaware of all places.We spoke with her about renting with the option to buy. Unfortunatley she ended up keeping the property in her family. But we still dreamed of what could of been.

As I recall, My father and I met the owner down there one early summer. We had a bbq on the deck. It was a nice 80 degree day. We had a couple beers ate good food,laughed, listened to music and talked about life,  present and future and the possiblites of relocating to the shore.  It was a split plan house a 2 bedroom up front and a studio apt with a balcony out back. Of course my dad said he would rent out the front of the house for some spending cash and be content with living in the studio out back. Location was everything. Even though it was not a raised house he was worried about a fierce stowm but thought he would take his chances anyway. He dreamed about waking up to the seaguls squalking and the locals tossing their fishing lines out before the sun fully rose in the morning. Walking down to the local mcdonalds to get his coffee and than proceed to sit up atop the rocks with the locals , tell stories and jokes throughout the day while meeting new people. He chuckled "who knows maybe ill become a fisherman".

For years we continued to go back to that spot look out at the water and day dream for a bit. Always wondering what life would be like if he would of had the opprotunity to make that move..Than looking at each others smiling sun tanned faces and without saying any words... Both Realizing life was pretty good right now. Right in this moment. And that was good enough...

"I will continue to venture down the shore and look out at the inlets waters crashing against the rocks as sea guls squalk above and daydream as if he were there sitting besides me on the locals fishing bench...Thats where I think I will forever remember my father"...

Christmas for your dad....shopping on Christmas eve every year we had to go to toys r us shop then stand in line for hours.but that was jerry and that is how he shopped

The best thing that ever happened to him..Justin

Colorado

Jerry's baby Ben a dog he found and would never leave his side.

Loved helping and talking about boating and fishing but would get sea sick.

           My dad and I had fond memories of going to the beach. This story is one of many from my childhood.  We were getting ready for our summer trip in Wildwood Nj. It was our annual 2 week trip. Or as he would refer to it. "Father and Sonny Time".  The 1st day consist of the ride down ( hoping the car would not overheat ) Slumping down in the car from embarrisment when it did. Finally arriving at the hotel. Throw the clothes in the room and take off for a day on the beach. Which included the one mile walk to the beach which my dad insisted he would have to contact the mayor of Wildwood and do something about that. The cheeseburger lunch at raging waters grill followed up by 2 more hours on the beach of boogie boarding, tossing the football around and people watching. I was about 7yrs old at the time. We got back from the beach and our (His) Routine would be shower then take a ride to the inlet to look out at the water and talk to some locals. We would then get shrimp and clams to take back for a early dinner. The ride back to the hotel would include the same big circle past his old chilhood beach house ( Morning Glory rd ) Past the inlet and then heading back up 26th and surf.   He wanted to search for any apts that were cheap. If I saw a sign i would write the number down and he would call when we got back to see if we could look at it. ( He always wanted to move down there) So we finally arrive back at the hotel, kick our feet up and listen to some music on the balcony. 

After relaxing for a while we went on the board walk to play some games. Not for too long though. We had to make it back for the "action", from the balcony. Action would be cops racing by, teenagers being loud, cars with loud speakers wizzing by. That was our thing and i loved it.

So the morning comes and he asked me if i wanted to go grocery shopping 1st or get some breakfast. Well of course i picked breakfast. (What kid wouldnt) We walked up the road. Bare feet and all.  Our favorite place was shoes optional at the time and that was his favorite part of it all. (looking back,how nasty was that) The place was called athens restaurant a little spot with a scary grumpy lady as a hostess. I came to learn she was acually nice and not so scary later in life but for a 7 yr old. She was scary. So we sit down " our normal booth". He orders a coffee for himself and a small orange juice for me. He said drink slowly that orange juice is expensive. ( with a smirk on his face) I knew he was joking but then again was he?  Well the coffee was only 35 cents for him. The small oj was at that time 85 cents. You bettcha that was expensive but im 7. I shouldnt know that yet. So the waitress comes over to our table and my dad orders his meal only. Which i felt was weird since he never asked what i wanted to eat. The waitress looks at me and says what do you want sir? My face turns all red forhead sweaty and i couldnt say anything. I looked at my dad and he said go ahead tell her what you want she doesnt have all day. I still couldnt talk for some reason. So my dad says to the waitress. Hes not hungry i guess. We had a big dinner last night just put my order in. She smiled an walked away.  I then get all angry and like a little spoiled rotten kid I told my dad what i want and demand he order it. He then tells me. I put my order in and you are getting nothing unless you tell the waitress yourself. (The smirk turned to a stirn grin) Scary for a youngster. You have to learn to speak up he said. If you want anything in life you have to learn to speak up and go for it. People cant read your mind. I sat there trying to understand what he just told me.  Ok i get it now. I do . But i was seven!! I had no clue what he meant and was so mad at him. My dad went to the bathroom and said he would be right back be sure you get her attention and tell her what you want. So what did i do . Mad half teary eyed and all nervous- I stood up walked over with my head up (tail between my legs) and said to the lady- I want an omlette meal with bacon and peppers, pancakes with a side of sausage and a large oj. The waitress says ok is your dad ok with this. I said yes and smiled. She then put my order in. Feeling accomplished with ordering the most expensive meal on the menu and I would show my dad.  I walked back to the table and sat down. My dad returned to the table and said. Was that so hard? See you learned a lesson today. I smiled and said thanks it was easy. But now felt guilty as i ordered the biggest meal on purpose.  Our meals came out about 5 minutes later and my dad said why do we have all this food. I said you told me to tell her what i wanted. So i did. He then took my large oj which was at least $1.10. He said thanks for the oj. And then snatched the sausage.(They had the best sausage)

He said-Tomorrow we will have to talk how this Oj along with the big meal you ordered will cut down on some things we wanted to do. Dont want to go over budget. ( Of course it didnt really matter). He was just trying to be strict.  He had to teach me to speak up and not to be a smart ass kid)  It worked i ordered my meals the rest of the vacation of course with prior approval from dad and for the rest of the vacation asked him after every activity we did.  If our budget was ok. He always said yes but said " its getting close" I had no clue at the time what he meant but eventually understood.

Life lessons. He taught me alot of those at the beach in the summers we spent together. I might of grew up faster but i would not have wanted it any other way....