Dad had a curious habit of calling out birth dates from numbers on his digital clock. My children and niece have birthdays in September, on the 12^th and 13^th. So, at 9:12 (am or pm) on any given day, Dad would say “Look at that. It’s Nick’s birthday on the clock.” And at 9:13, he’d grin and say, “Now it’s Cokie’s and Laura’s birthdays on the clock!”

Digital clocks provide superior readability during tense, time-sensitive scenarios. As a WWII army veteran, and later a locomotive engineer, Dad could act on a dime in any situation to fulfill a mission or respond to the unexpected. He knew what to do in the face of danger, like the time he was forced to escape a runaway train and look out for his crew before crashing. A paratrooper roll from wartime kicked in and saved his life. 

Clocks ensure we awake when needed. Even as an old man, Dad’s vigilance never weakened when it was necessary to be awake and alert. He had a keen sense of duty when it came to protecting family, friends, and co-workers. I don’t recall a day he missed work except for the broken bones and fractured neck after jumping from that runaway train. 

Digital alarm clocks are usually more accurate than traditional analog clocks. I always thought Dad could do no wrong. I trusted his every word to be accurate. And I don’t know anyone who ever proved him wrong. 

Digital clocks have more features than analog clocks. Dad’s features and his wisdom seemed to outshine anyone I’ve known. He taught me about honesty and perseverance. And he could fix anything, finding ways to “rig up” some kind of “doo-dad” or brilliant invention that worked better than any “new-fangled gadget.” 

Some digital clocks make the same noise as original pendulum clocks that ticked. The rhythm and timing of Dad’s voice, like the ticking of a clock, soothed and consoled broken hearts. He was always the one to deliver sad news because he did it with tenderness. After my grannie died, I went with him to tell my cousin (who had lost her mom several years before). When she answered the door, he folded his arms around her and said, “Grannie has gone to be with your mom.” In joyful times, he conveyed his delight through words and actions. Another cousin said, “When I was a little girl, I remember being with Uncle Jack in his garden. He worked with such care on each flower and showed me how to make a snapdragon talk!” 

The best engineered and manufactured digital clock systems are reliable and last 20 years or more. I relied on Dad for his presence and strength throughout my life whenever I needed courage or re-assurance. He was by my side in good times, too, helping to care for my kids, teaching them to camp, fish, catch crawdads, garden, cook, play music, and drive.

Dad lasted almost 90 years. The day before he passed, I said, “Dad, I’m going to throw a big party for your 90^thbirthday!” He raised his eyebrows and squinted a bit, beaming broadly, “A party for me?!” But instead of a birthday party that August, we held a celebration of Dad’s life. Friends and relatives flooded the room to pay tribute to a man who touched their lives in some special way. 

A digital clock displays the time directly. Dad taught me to be direct and honest when communicating. “Tell it like it is. No hem-hawing around!” When I see 8:16 on the clock, I know without a doubt he’s communicating with me. It’s a sign. 

Most digital clocks have glowing digits, making them easy to read even in low light. Dad’s spirit glows like a radiant star to let me know he’s with me. When I glance at the digital clock at precisely 8:16, his presence is clear. His spirit is strong. After Dad’s passing, something deeply meaningful came to light for me. At times when I’m especially happy, sad, worried, or anxious, a gentle force takes my gaze to a digital clock where I happen to see 8:16 (his birthday). The evening my first grandchild was born, I walked out of the hospital room after holding her and the first thing I saw was a digital wall clock glimmering scarlet numbers: 8:16. When I struggled over the life-changing decision to leave my career, my trembling hand submitted the resignation letter, and checking my computer screen to see if it was delivered, the time on the clock was 8:16. In those moments, I know Dad is with me, sharing my joys, supporting my decisions, calming my fears. Not once have I looked for a sign or waited for numerals to flip. It happens unexpectedly when I need Dad most. It’s our moment.

I checked the word count for this essay. Can you guess what it is?