Doting Dad
I could write about today’s poo storms, Dr. appointment, blisters on a scrotum, getting peed on by one son and getting hit by the other, our daily dose of YouTube cute animal videos, or our new tradition of after-dinner disco dancing, but instead, I’m thinking about my dad.
My dad is doting on us lately (as in lavishing attention, not the other kind). He is always involved in my life and the lives of my kids, but he seems extra attentive lately. I wrote already about the jam-making sessions he and I had last month. We usually see him (and my mom) at least twice a week. He gets up early makes a special trip to our home one morning a week so he can take Lucas to school; on those mornings, he makes eyes at Asher and drinks a cuppa in my kitchen. He calls me on the phone a lot. He shares the infuriating tribulations of taking care of his elderly mother and aunt. We laugh because what else can we do?
Dad is actively planning our family trip to Hawaii next January. He’s considering his health and recovery needs, but making plans nonetheless. I suspect he needs this trip to look forward to.
This past Friday, Mom and Dad took all of us and my brother, Jonathan, and his girlfriend, Courtney, out to dinner to celebrate Ian’s birthday. We had a lovely dinner at Serritella’s in Carmichael, an Italian restaurant that’s been in business more than 40 years. We laughed, drank wine, played with the kids. Dad held Asher and allowed him to pinch his nose a lot. It was a good time.
Dad made a special plan to take Lucas shopping the next day. My brother went along, too. They went to the sporting goods store and my father bought Lucas a fishing pole and ten of every type of fishing gizmo, gadget, and lure that’s ever been made, it seems to me. Lucas is understandably over the moon. Dad also bought a pole for Ian, so now they are both kitted out for adventures on the American River. Rainbow trout and bluegills beware! I overheard my father saying goodbye to Lucas after the outing and the fabulous fishing gifts were given, "Buying fishin’ poles is what grandpas do. That’s grandpa’s job—to make sure you have a fishin’ pole of your very own."
Maybe I’m sentimental. Maybe I’m just nervous and reading into things. I hope he’s around a long, long time.
October 7, 2008 at 3:12 pm
This is a very sweet post and I’m happy you shared it with us all. I know you have fears and worry about his health but you just have to be brave and happy that he’s thinking about things. He seems like he is in loving high spirits with you all and that these are good experiences through some uncertain times. Positivity is a powerful powerful thing.
I love you so much and it was wonderful to see you guys the other night! I hope we can get together again soon. XOXO
October 7, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I hope we all have lots of time left but it never hurts to live as much as we can in the moment so that we have it when they’re gone. It brings me incredible comfort to have had my time with Monica sharing lots of wonderful memories that had no concept of an near endpoint. I think your dad has just been seriously reminded that there can be an endpoint and he’s making sure not to take these days for granted which is so damn easy to do with all the distractions we deal with. I wouldn’t read it as an omen, it sounds like the actions of a well-adjusted man with a loving family. I’m wishing you all the best. Love you.
October 9, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Sounds like he’s doing what we all should. Good for him, good for you.
Oh, and BTW, I worked at Serritella’s my last three years of high school. (heh, sounds better when said that way).
October 10, 2008 at 11:59 am
Thanks honey. Yes, I am grateful that Dad’s in high spirits and also very grateful for the time and attention he’s spending on us. I guess sometimes we need little reminders of how much we love and appreciate the people in our lives.
It was fun seeing you, too. We’ll be at The Party, even if we don’t see you sooner.
October 10, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Thanks for the good wishes, dear. No, I don’t see it as an omen, but I do see it as a reminder. Life is precious and unpredictable. Enjoy every bite.
October 10, 2008 at 12:03 pm
They’ve updated the restaurant a bit. Food is tasty, but not served in super-large portions, which is rather unusual these days. I wouldn’t normally mention the portions, except that Asher ate almost all of my chicken.
Love you.
October 10, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Heh. I can just see him sitting there snarfing your meal and trying to look angelic at the same time. 🙂
Actually I love going to restaurants that serve reasonable portions. For one thing, we really don’t need as much food as we’re served most of the time. And for another, *I* can’t eat a normal portion anyway. I love small portions so I don’t have to send a plate full of food back when I’m done.