→Name someone who deserves more credit than they get. And for bonus points, how to change things so they get more.
I’ve never had a child. I don’t know really know why except that I always felt too young to be someone’s mother. Perhaps it was because I was adopted and my birth mother was only 16 when she had me so I had some unformed plan to make sure I was perfectly prepared before I conceived. Or maybe I was never with someone who I thought would be a good father. It is one of those mysteries that will never be solved.
So I have limited experience with children. Very limited — in fact, I used to say that I hate kids. The only reason I had any confidence in my ability to deal with Duckfish having three children was my limited exposure to Shelley‘s kids. I somehow figured out that I could at least cope with kids in the house — for short periods of time at any rate.
We normally have the kids sleeping over on the weekends, but because it is Christmas holidays, they have been here all week. I declare that single dads (and moms) deserve more credit than they get.
“Dad? … my gigi (draw dock/vagina) has a red line on it. Do you want to see?”
“Dad? … I’ve got bugs in my hair”.
“Dad? … when I grow up, I’m going to be a monkey.”
“Dad? … do you notice anything different?” *using blunt craft scissors to create a self-styled fringe*
“Dad? … I didn’t wet the bed, I went on the floor”.
Duckfish’s patience is almost endless. He rarely gets frustrated, angry or snaps. He always responds to the unending chorus of … Dad? no matter what he is doing (sadly, including doing me).
It’s tough being a parent, it’s tough being a part-time parent, it’s tough being a dad to one hormonal pre-teen, one sensitive artist and one precocious girl and sometimes I forget.
Here’s to my amazing Duckfish who is the best Dad in the world. This is my small effort to ensure that he, and others like him get appreciated for the expansiveness of their hearts. Luckily, I’m not alone in my admiration for him.
“Dad? … I love you”.
→ photo : eonline