Bryan and Dad taking a risk with trying the Pharaoh’s Fury ride this year.

As Bryan entered our car for the ride to the Middletown Grange Fair last Wednesday, he began to well up with tears. He leaned in from the back seat, grabbed my arm and cried, “Welcome home, Mom and Dad”. “What’s wrong, buddy?” I asked, startled at his upset. “I missed you guys.” he responded. I leaned back and gave him a kiss as best I could.

I had forgotten how unsettled Bryan gets when he knows we are both away. Having spent ten days in Minnesota helping with a Music and Arts camp with my husband joining me for the final weekend, Bryan knew we were both out of state. I tried not to make a big deal out of it to minimize upset. I DID receive a text from him the day before we flew home: “Did you get ready yet?” “Ready for what? We are in Minnesota.” I responded.” “Eagles season” he replied – sent with a photo of the football season schedule. He was gearing up for the first preseason game. On Tuesday came another text, “Are you back home from Minnesota yet because tomorrow we are going to Middletown.”

Now all is right with the world. We are back. And we went to the Fair together. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to have the delicious chicken dinner because that wasn’t served on Wednesday nights. But we made do with a cheesesteak, fries and Goodnoe’s ice cream as we watched the Tractor Parade pass by our picnic table.

Dad and son climbed into a new Tesla, looking like something from “Back to the Future”, enjoying all the bells and whistles and dreaming of ownership someday. After a cursory look at the animal barns and other booths, the boys hit the rides as always. The Cliff Hanger was visited twice – Bryan’s sandals flying to the ground after liftoff. Then they rode the Ferris Wheel. After that, Bryan’s eyes glistened with excitement as he watched the soaring ship called “Pharoah’s Fury” as it rose perpendicular to the fairgrounds. “I want to try that this year!” he exclaimed. We questioned that one. It looked too scary for him. Of course, Dad was all in on trying it. Both loved it as you can see on their faces.

The Fair always nostalgically signals the nearing of the end of summer for me. But for Bryan, it is a family tradition that never grows old. And he’s not afraid of adding new and exciting experiences to our yearly visit, a fact I celebrate for my son who does not like change!