7/3/08

Fathers and Daughters

You all have sat through countless posts about time spent with Three Dog Night Dad
when I was a little girl and how those times were the happiest of my childhood.

Well since becoming involved in a mature, adult relationship
and transitioning into mommyhood
my dad and I have rarely spent time alone together.
We'd say with best of intentions that we needed to do it.
And well, you know how that goes.
All Cats and the Cradle and all.

This past weekend provided that opportunity
what with my younglings and man away in Massachusetts for a long weekend.
I packed myself a bag and a beach chair
and met my dad down at his beach cottage.

We sat together drinking a few cold ones and chatting.
And then we went out for a quality dinner together.
Upon entering the establishment we received a few sideways looks.
But I figured it's small-town Delaware, they probably don't appreciate a guy with long hair here.
And I shrugged it off.

Later on, after introducing my dad to some audio versions of David Sedaris, and a few rib-cracking laughs later, we were out walking around near a dock.
Again, we're just talking.
We look over to our left and there's a rowdy, good-natured group of locals who are red faced
and uber-smiling.
Good for them. I think to myself.
Then we hear:
Hey! Hey! Hey, lady!
I turn my head and say Yeah?
She replies with:
I dig your old man's beard!!
My dad and I smile and laugh.
We look at each other and my dad replies with
Uh. She's my daughter.
The lady's face becomes an even more pronounced shade of scarlett and apologizes.
I think that's when it hit me.
How often do you see an adult woman spending time alone with her dad?

I was OK with this.
I have no problems spending time with my dad.
But I think once girls hit a certain age, you just rarely see it.
Maybe I'm wrong or maybe my little state just isn't that progressive yet.
It just hit me as kind of sad.

6 ripples in the pond:

thailandchani said...

A beard, long hair and a beach cottage. He sounds like a great guy! Who wouldn't want to spend time with him? :)

Now that you mention it, it's not very often we hear about grown women spending time with their fathers.

Beck said...

My dad has a long, ZZ top style beard. And we hang out a lot - but it's a small town and it doesn't raise any eyebrows.

flutter said...

can I hang out with your Dad?

Anonymous said...

Shame on you for not spending
time alone with your dad! There
are alot of us out there who have
never had the ability to do so.
I'm glad up took that time. Having
read about you and your Rav I'm
sure he would understand if you
did more of it.

Anonymous said...

Both you and your father are lucky people, to have each other and to love each other. That's rare and lovely.

And I miss you too, big time.

Pgoodness said...

I think you're right - it's not very common. I honestly can't remember the last time I hung out with my did - if EVER (our relationship just isn't like that). I see him often, but it is always with the kids, too.

I think I would have liked to have a dad like yours - your brief description of him makes him seem laid back and cool. Complete opposite from my dad. :-)

And anonymous? Give her a break, eh? Shame on her? Shame on you.