Sweet Sixteen

My dad gets up a lot earlier than I do.
Usually he putters around doing dishes and reading before he gets ready for work.
This morning he didn't bring in the paper which is uncharacteristic of him, so I brought it in.

Lean, Mean Fifteen.

The title reflects the day.
Mostly the "mean" part.
It was a terrible day and I could barely utter a word to my dad without getting annoyed.
It not even that he's being unreasonable, I just have a personality conflict with him.
We cannot get along.
As a nice gesture though, I told him that my friend got into his alma mater, which he is obsessed with.
This was information that I would normally withhold because I hate to hear him rant about it.


"Someday, I'll be living in a big 'ole city,
and all you're ever gonna be is mean.
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me,
and all you're ever gonna be is mean."

--Mean by Taylor Swift

Day Fourteen

I had a track meet today and I let my dad come.
I ususally ban him from any sporting event because, as I've previously mentioned, he's terribly annoying.

"Run to get away.
Keep breathing to move forward.
Pause to look back.
Then carry on."

Lucky Number 13

I decided to switch up the title for variety's sake.
It's also been a really good day for me, lucky if you will.
I went to confession so I'm feeling reaffirmed in my faith and ready to give this love dare some real effort.
My Dad likes to pretend he's cool by fist bumping people but I never partake because it is incredibly embarrassing.
Tonight while we were watching Jeopardy! he was on a roll so he held out his fist for me to bump in recognition of his hot streak.
I did.

Day 12

My dad likes to live vicariously through my athletic career.
He always has suggestions and ways to help me improve even though I run track which he has never done before in his life.
I hate when he tries to tell me what to do because he is the least athletic man ever and thinks he knows everything.
Today, after practice, he told me all the things that I need to do differently.
Rather than get annoyed, I thanked him and walked away.

Day 11

My dad likes to go on walks around our neighborhood.
He always asks if I want to come with him and I never do.
It always ends with me being angry because he tries to talk to me but says all the wrong things.
When he asked me to go on a walk with him though, I went without complaint.

"It's easier to walk away
Better off to face the facts
When love holds you up for ransom
Walk away and don't look back"

 

--Easier to Walk Away by Elton John

Day 10

I am a pretty good student but I always feel like my dad overestimates my abilities.
So today when my report card came, I let him prattle on about my future and whatever success I might achieve without telling him about the very real possibility that I might let him down.
I will always do my best but I know how disappointed he'll be when it's not good enough.

Day 9

My dad went to the doctor to see if he had strep.
This was a huge deal because he loves to remind us that he is the picture of health and has not been to a doctor since he had the mumps when he was seven.
It turned out to be just a sore throat but he's not used to being sick (I know I said in a previous post that he had a cold but a stuffy nose and headache is usually the worst he suffers and that only happens about two or three times a year)
So I refrained from making fun of him for being a baby about a sore throat.

Day 8

Today my mom and I did the weekly grocery shopping.
I got my dad the hostess cupcakes that he likes.

Day 7

My dad has been in New York for Elaine's wake and funeral.
Today, I called him and tried to treat him like a friend who needs comforting.
I offered kind words and didn't cry, despite the fact that I wasn't allowed to miss school for the funeral and was generally upset.

"Lights will guide you home
and ignite your bones,
and I will try and fix you."
--Fix You by Coldplay

Day 6

My dad is an only child so our family is really close with his friends from growing up because they're the closest things to brothers he has.
I refer to them as my uncles as well.
On Saturday, Uncle Kevin lost his wife.
She had a long battle with cancer and it finally claimed her.
We've all been struggling with the loss, especially my dad.
He loved her like a sister.
So today, and for the past few days, I've been trying to comfort him and make myself available to talk if he wants to.

Rest in Peace, Elaine.

Day 5

I shared my sandwich with my dad last night.
That may seem insignificant but I never share food.

Panera Bread is my life!