Happy Father’s Day
Filed Under (The Fam) by Amy on 06-17-2007
Here’s to all the dads out there - hope you have a wonderful day filled with pleasant memories. I’ll be spending time with my dad today - a fact that makes me extremely happy. The older I get, the more I love, appreciate and understand my dad and the way he raised us. I used to have so many criticisms. I hated that he disciplined us with physical force. I hated that he had an explosive temper that came out of left field. I hated that he was so strict and over-protective. I hated that he always wanted to be involved in my business. I hated that he didn’t allow us to speak our minds. Today I still don’t agree with a lot of those things, but I have compassion for the man who acted out in anger or frustration. I understand what it’s like to feel those feelings with my own kids. I know that my dad did the best job he knew how to at the time. I also know that he did so many of those things I hated out of love. He wanted nothing but the best for me and my siblings - he just didn’t know how to always make that happen. Who among us as parents does?
Years ago, I hated listening to the stories and tales my dad would spin. He can take an hour to tell you about something that transpired in 5 minutes. Today I relish in those stories because I know the day when I won’t be able to hear them at all will be here before I know it. It’s almost odd to say it, but I feel like at 37 years old, I am falling in love with my parents for the first time. I miss them like crazy when I haven’t seen or heard from them in a few days. I love all their quirks and idiosyncrasies that used to drive me absolutely crazy. I feel calm, safe, and secure in their presence where I used to feel annoyed, agitated, and discontent.
As my boys head into their teenage years, I will probably need to remind myself how my feelings have recently changed - so that the hurt of them cutting the apron strings will only be a nick on my skin instead of a deep wound requiring stitches. As they utter the words, “I hate you!,” as they are apt to do, I will have to remind myself that it’s temporary and one day, they, too, will come to understand and appreciate me and their father once again. Ahhh - the circle of life.
I guess being a parent yourself has a way of making you see things in a different light now. I am not a parent yet and have never hated my parents but I also appreciate some things they did before more so now that I am older and (hopefully) wiser.
Happy father’s day to our dads, Amy! :)
Yep, I think being a parent myself has changed my world view. That and finally becoming a grown up (emotionally).
What a beautiful post! I’m just starting to grow into an adult relationship with my parents… It is interesting to see the things that I hated before that I appreciate now. Or at least see in a different light.
It really is a pleasure to grow and appreciate things more in life.
Great post, your right, I understand my parents so much more now that I am older!
Many of my parents “stupid rules” became my own religion once I was raising a child of my own. Cherish those stories and memories, make new ones, pass them on to your own kids - yep - the circle of life. Nice tribute to both of your parents!
yes isn’t that always the way? me and my father were worst enemies and now we are the best of buddies.
You made me cry! It’s funny how suddenly we understand. We don’t always like what they did or how they did things but it doesn’t matter now. Great post.
Glad my post touched you. :-)
Great post Amy. I think I’ve always been like my Mom and look back on the hormonal teenage years and sometimes cringe. LOL
[...] held at Jenn’s this time and the theme is all about fathers. I submitted my previous post on Father’s Day for inclusion. [...]