Dawn Dish Soap

Something smells of the old Dawn dish soap my family used to use. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm enjoying inhaling the scent. It's taking me back in time. Surprisingly, not to all the years I spent over the sink (and there were plenty!).

When my sister and I were younger, we used to accompany my father out to the field where he flew his remote-controlled airplanes. Many summer evenings were spent out at that land watching the little airplanes glide through the sky. In addition to the airplanes, my sister and I came up with all sorts of ways to entertain ourselves. Some evenings we played games in the back of my dad's truck, our favorite being the fishing game made just for us. With feet dangling over the back end, fishing poles in hand, we must have been a comical sight. Other evenings we rode our bikes along the dirt path that ran through the field. It's amazing how quickly a bike can transform into a horse when you're in the country! I honestly cannot remember a time when me and my sister didn't have fun out there. Even the ride home was fun, with our stop at McDonald's for cookies and ice cream.

After a day of flying, my dad would meticulously clean off his planes with a mixture of water and Dawn dish soap. I can still see the old spray bottle filled with the pretty blue mixture. I can still hear the sound of the paper towels on the airplane wings.

My sister and I need to go out with my dad again soon. It's been too long.