American Bedu

My father passed away in 2003 but he was always a character.  He never met a stranger, loved history and also loved to travel.  By the way, did I further mention that he loved to speak his mind?  He was not in the least bit shy to ask questions regardless of where or whom he was with.  Additionally he had a beautiful voice that would carry and be heard above all others.

Shortly after our marriage and settling in to life in the United States, Abdullah and I went to visit my father at his winter home in Florida.  My Dad and stepmom collected us at a local hotel we chose to stay at.  As they entered the room, my dad was wearing one of his favorite golfing baseball caps.  My stepmom in a loud whisper said, “Mike, your meeting your son-in-law the diplomat.  You should take off your hat.”  Typical for my Dad he responded “If my new son-in-law can’t accept me in a baseball cap then that’s his problem.”  Abdullah and I looked at each other and smiled and he proceeded to meet my Dad with his hand outstretched in greeting.

We chatted for a while in the room and then my Dad announced he was taking us to an “early bird” dinner at one of his favorite seafood restaurants.  Now my Dad and stepmom lived in a small retirement community in Florida and since my Dad never met a stranger, he was well known in the area with many friends.  As we entered the restaurant there were many other senior citizens there to enjoy the “early bird” special and my Dad and stepmom were stopped and greeted by many patrons.  As we sat down at a table the waitress greeted them by name.  Naturally my Dad also took pleasure in introducing his new Saudi son-in-law to his friends.  Although several times Abdullah corrected him when my Dad decided to introduce Abdullah as the Saudi Ambassador to Washington!  Each time Abdullah corrected him, my dad, without missing a blink would come back with “well you should be in my view.”  Again, that was my Dad and his strong personality.

We were seated at a table more in the center of the restaurant.  The dinner conversation covered many topics.  Of course just at the time when there was a lull in conversations around us, my Dad asks Abdullah in his carrying voice, “You said a man can have up to four wives in your country.  What happens then?  Does he wear four wedding bands?”  That was one of the first times I saw my dear husband blush but not lose his poise.  He simply responded to my Dad that would be up to the Saudi husband who was brave enough to have multiple wives.

Just when I was confident we made it through our only awkward moment, my Dad decided to ask another question.  By this time, some of the patrons were looking at us curiously if not unabashedly listening in to our conversation.  My Dad brings up my former career in governmental service and Abdullah’s continuing career in governmental service.  So far so good.  Abdullah loves to discuss and debate politics.  Then my Dad surprises us again and asks Abdullah “So does the Saudi government recruit and employ spies?  You’re not a spy are you?”  Again, my husband demonstrates what a poised and professional diplomat he is and tells my Dad that when he came to visit us, it would give Abdullah pleasure to have him as a VIP guest to the embassy where he could also meet others and ask more questions.

I’m happy to say that Abdullah and my Dad established a very warm and caring relationship between them.  Many times my Dad would call and after I answered the phone, ask to be put through to Abdullah!

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