March Monday

Wow, is it ever a gorgeous day! Beautiful sunny warm weather...just enough of a breeze to keep it from being a hot day...which is never pleasant when you have jeans and a sweater on (albeit a cotton sweater). Of course, I could call my Dad in Scotland and he'd still have to try to beat me on the weather front. Keeping in mind I'm in Bermuda.

Typical conversations with my Dad - Topic: Weather

Me: It was quite a nice day here today. (70F Sunny Bermuda)
Dad: Oh, we had a lovely day today. I barely needed a jacket when I went up to the shops. (50F Cloudy Windy Edinburgh)

or...

Me: It was quite chilly here today. (65F Rainy Windy Bermuda)
Dad: Oh, I think we might have been warmer than you today (45F Rainy Windy Edinburgh)

He's a real 'glass half full' kind of guy. I know because the accurate weather conditions are supplied by my Mum, who, while I wouldn't describe her as being a 'glass half empty'-type, is just...well...accurate.

I am lucky that I get to talk to my parents so much more these days, what with my great long distance calling plan and all. So - things I love about conversations with my folks:
It's great to be able to pick up the phone and call on a whim and I love that they still sound so surprised to hear it's me...as if they have a ton of people that regularly ring them after 11pm (7pm Bermuda time). Hey! It's Steph! Lovely!!
I love the way whoever answers and has the first half of the conversation always bugs the other about how long they are keeping me on the phone and running up my bill. Despite how long they themselves were on for. Despite the fact that I have explained my calling plan 1000+ times now.
I love the way whoever answers first will shout through to the other "Alex/Tassie it's Steph on the phone. Did you want to come and talk to her?" Like there's a "No" option?
I love how my Mum will fill me in on the day to day goings-on of the people that populate her life even though I don't know who they are (unless she's talking about family of course...I know most of them. Not kidding...there's so many that there are cousins I don't know).
And I love how my Dad still wants to hear about what is going on in my friends' lives even though he hasn't seen them for years and gets their names all mixed up.
I love the sort of old-school way they have of saying goodbye at the end of the conversation. It has a very formal feel about it...ritualistic in a way. Certain things must be said by each party and hanging up cannot occur until this is accomplished.
Mum's 'Must Be Said Before Hanging Up' phrases are: Lovely to hear your voice; Speak to you soon; We'll call you next time; OK my lovey; and Love you. And then...'Oh, I just remembered what I wanted to tell you...."
Dad's are: OK my sweetheart; God bless; We think of you every day: Love you loads you know; and Tatty-scone.
I follow their lead and reply to each phrase appropriately but I have not yet ritualized my responses...I wing it.
But man do I cherish theirs.