It's June now and Father's Day is right around the corner. Unfortunately for me, my dad passed away three years ago and this is my fourth Father's Day without him. My dad was my best friend and even though I have other best friends it's not the same.
My dad wasn't just a best friend, he was more like an older twin. And these past few years have been rough without him. I listen to the old songs he loves, especially Skynyrd, but no song has hit me like "Dad's Old Number" by Cole Swindell.
Cole Swindell - "Dad's Old Number" (Official Audio Video)YouTube
The song tells of a son who has lost his dad and calls his dad's old number just to have the new owner answer. I still remember my dad's home phone and work number. I honestly have no idea who would answer his old home number but I've met the guy who works in his old office and that's who would answer.
He's actually an old friend of my dad's and one of the last times I visited he gave me some pictures of my dad from the '80s when they worked together back then. It was a simple gift from him but meant so much more to me. There are other numbers in my dad's old office I could call and talk to when I need them because it's like a family and I grew up in that office.
When Cole Swindell calls his dad's old number he asks for the person not to hang up, that he's not selling anything, and didn't know what he was thinking when he called. He further explains that he forgot that the number isn't his lifeline anymore and that every now and then he calls them up, and the one ring hangups.
I haven't gone as far as calling the number but I've thought about it. When life got rough I had a couple of numbers I'd call. My dad wasn't always the best with advice but he was my dad. The other was my granddad who unfortunately passed back in February. And in watching Alabama Softball this past weekend I've just wanted to call and talk to either of them about how they fought hard but still came up short. Or to call and talk about how the Braves are doing. I and my granddad would talk about my daughter but I never got that chance with my dad and I wish I would've.
He ends the song in saying if he finds the right girl or gets that job that there's a good chance that the new owner of the number. For me, I understand because if I'd have called and talked to the person then maybe I would have a relationship with them. It happens all the time and can be good. I just read a story on a grandmother who would call the wrong number thinking it was her grandson and it was some other girl who she now has a grandmother-granddaughter relationship with.
For me, the song definitely gets me in my feels but it's because I know the exact feeling. For anyone who wants to go through with calling their dad's old number, I say go for it. You never know who is going to answer and what they will say. There are still good people out there and who knows it could be someone near you who has lost a dad or a father that has lost a son and it will help both of you. Happy Fathers Day to everyone whether your father is still with you or not.
