A Letter from The Ledge

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

"...., I consider you a friend as well as my Dad. That's cool right? I wish more kids had a Dad like you. You're pretty cool and you really do have a good sense of balance between when to FATHER and when to be cool about things, you know what I mean? ...." etc.., etc - Love, Daughter

Such was the letter I just received by snail mail from my daughter as she informed me how well my Grandson, HBK (Heart Break Kid), is doing and life in general. I guess all those, Father Knows Best and Leave It To Beaver's June and Ward Cleaver, episodes paid off. That and the thumbscrews, trepanning tool, and the sheer genius use of an ol' fashioned keel hauling. MAN! Am I a fun Dad or what! Oh PLEEEASE Let me baby sit your kids!!

AHEM - actually - I'm done raising kids. Well, actually I only raised one kid but of all my kids, daughter is my favorite. When I use that line on daughter she says, "Dad! I'm your only daughter" - to which I resist the urge to say, "that you know of..." following up with a sadistic "Muahahaaaa!"

But I degrease. As I read Daughter's letter, a sense of completeness washed across my soul. An aire of closure to my always wondering if she held resentment for the times I had to be tough on her. Okay - I did demand respect and did not tolerate any child of mine doing otherwise. But that's not the same as commanding respect - or rather, earning, respect. Kapeesh?

When she was a small fry (as pictured) I'd often swallowed my pride and played dolls with her, and let her "fix" up my hair - YOU DID NOT HEAR THAT! - and while in the confines of the home away from public view, I often had hair doo-dads (barrettes, hair bands, etc) all matted in my hair far too often - thanks to my humoring the daughter and her newly found hair dressing skills. Yes - I humored my daughter and encouraged her the best I could. She once wanted me to wear this hair getup to the store - to which my humoring did find a stopping place... no way no how was that a happening deal.

Okay - I guess thats enough of the trip down memory lane. My eyes are starting to leak, especially thinking about the letter she just sent me. So until next time, I bid you a fondue... errr... a fond Adeu.

PS - word has it, daughter and son-in-law are planning a second baby.

Posted at 09:48 pm - Scribbled out by Daveman the Cool


	Penny December 15, 2005 08:28 AM PST It's so nice when they grow up and realize that the things you did, you did out of love. And to have them say they respect and appreciate you ... there is no greater thank you from a child. Sounds like you done good, Daveman. "The older I get, the smarter my parents get."


	Pops December 14, 2005 05:36 PM PST Cool letter DMan...One for the archives when we are in the Nursing Home dreaming of a visit from our kids...Congrats on the second rugrat...can never have enough of them kiddies, lol ;)


	AbbyNormal December 14, 2005 05:29 PM PST Aaawww! Sweet. I wish more kids had a dad like you, too.


	J f Z December 14, 2005 11:47 AM PST Awww. I love kids, as long as they're yours and they go home after they visit me. Heh. What a nice gift she gave you with that letter. I'd save it.


	Judy December 14, 2005 11:33 AM PST What an amazing "gift" from your daughter! And how is HBK doing? I hope well!


	kevin the one-armed December 14, 2005 10:59 AM PST Cool. wipes tear, punches Daveman in the arm in a manly fashion, walks away


	Giggles December 14, 2005 09:04 AM PST That is so amazingly sweet, Dave. You done good. You done real good. huggles


	plh December 14, 2005 07:27 AM PST aaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwww :) so you WERE closet crossdresser after all! *eyes wide open hehehe hey dont ch just luv it - i only wish my daughter could remember the happy times and that i was a pretty cool mom (shes severly bi-polar) - all the kids friends wanted me as their mom - i always had a housefull of the neighborhoods kids at our place - i miss those days too...

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