A Day With Dad And Uncle Tom By Sheila Robins 11yo 63 Fixed Jun 2026

The sun was barely up when Dad shook my shoulder. It was 5:00 AM on a Saturday, the exact time the world looks blue and quiet. Usually, I hate waking up for school, but today was different. Today was our annual fishing and camping day at Whispering Pines Lake. Best of all, Uncle Tom was coming along in his big, dented yellow truck.

The day started at 7:00 AM, which is way too early for a Saturday. Dad shook me awake and said, “Sheila, get your shoes on. Tom’s already here.” Uncle Tom was in the kitchen eating our cereal out of the box. He said, “Morning, kid. We’re going on an adventure.” That’s what he always says.

Others suggest she married, changed her name, and her early writing was forgotten in a shoebox under a bed, only recently discovered by a grandchild who posted a photo of the yellowed manuscript online.

As we drove home, my dad turned to me and asked, "So, kiddo, what was your favorite part of the day?" I thought for a moment before responding, "I think it was the whole day, every single minute of it!" My dad and Uncle Tom grinned at each other, pleased that I had enjoyed myself so much.

Robins’ writing is noted for its sensory details—the "sandwiches wrapped in wax paper," the "chill of the morning air," and the "boisterous laughter" of her uncle. a day with dad and uncle tom by sheila robins 11yo 63

As we drove home, I couldn't stop thinking about the day's adventures. I was so grateful to have such wonderful role models in my life – Dad and Uncle Tom, who had shown me that with courage and determination, I could overcome anything.

The of the story (e.g., a fishing trip, a ballgame, a backyard barbecue).

It reminds us that the most profound "blog-worthy" moments aren't found in curated vacations, but in the quiet, dusty, joyful days spent in the shadow of the people we look up to most.

By 6:00 AM, we were on the highway. Uncle Tom was driving, drinking black coffee from a metal thermos that smelled like roasted beans and old wood. Dad was in the passenger seat, map in hand, even though he knew the way by heart. I sat in the back with the tackle boxes, the smell of rubber worms, and a cooler full of turkey sandwiches. The radio played old country songs, and both of them sang along off-key. I couldn't help but laugh. It is funny how grown-ups act like kids when they get away from their jobs. The Big Catch (Almost) The sun was barely up when Dad shook my shoulder

The hike was harder than I had expected, but with Dad and Uncle Tom by my side, I felt like I could conquer anything. We climbed over rocks, through streams, and over hills, until we reached a beautiful spot with a stunning view.

By afternoon, our faces were pink from the sun and sticky with salt spray. We packed up the truck and drove to the boardwalk.

Today was the best day ever! I got to spend the whole day with my dad and Uncle Tom. I was so excited that I couldn't sleep last night. I kept thinking about all the fun things we would do.

After lunch, we decided to explore a nearby stream. Uncle Tom showed us how to skip rocks and catch crawdads, and Dad taught me how to identify different types of plants. I felt like I was learning something new every minute. Today was our annual fishing and camping day

It's funny, because as an 11-year-old, I didn't think much about the bigger picture. I was just enjoying the moment, and the company of the people I loved. But as I've grown older, I've come to appreciate just how precious that day was.

As the day came to an end, I realized that I had learned so much from my dad and Uncle Tom. Not just about dinosaurs and space, but about how to have fun and be silly. They showed me that even when you're a grown-up, you can still have a great time playing and laughing together.

By framing the story through the eyes of an eleven‑year‑old and then, implicitly, through the eyes of a sixty‑three‑year‑old woman looking back, the author taps into a powerful sense of nostalgia. The reader is invited to remember their own childhood days, to feel the warmth of the sun on their skin and the excitement of a day without worries. This dual layer of perspective is what makes stand out from countless other childhood memoirs.