Being A Good Daddy
Weekends that I have Brenley always open with a trip to the grocery store. It’s an admittedly boring chore, but we make it fun.
Only seeing her every other weekend (and Wednesday) results in me being terribly excited to spend those first precious hours with her. This carries into our grocery trip. I let her ride or walk by herself. We discuss what we are buying and she helps me load it into the cart and onto the belt for checkout. We argue and laugh and have a good time.
Tonight when we checked out the cashier made a comment as Brenley and I played:
I can tell you are a really good daddy.
Thank You, I said. But it took a while for it to sink in. Brenley tells me that on occasion and it means a lot to me. But it’s powerful to hear a stranger say it.
Most days I work and do my thing and Brenley isn’t around. I often forget to call before it gets late and many times I’m hesitant to call at random times because I don’t want to get in the way of her other life. Sometimes I lose my patience when she is here because I’m not used to dealing with her. Sometimes, as horrible as it sounds, I’m ready for her to go home because she wears me out. Five minutes after she leaves, I’m ready for her to be back.
So thanks again random lady! I try hard. I do my best to make sure that Brenley wants to be with me as much as I do with her. I am a good daddy, but one can’t rest on his laurels. I probably learn more from Brenley than she does from me.
It’s easy to get lost in the complexities of parenting. How does one deal with all the crazy stuff in the world? The most important part, I think, is to just be a good daddy. That’s what I’m shooting for.
Comments (4 comments)
Cory, you are a good daddy. I’m glad random lady recognized and said something about it. It’s good to hear it though.
Your mother sent us some pictures of you and Brenley and she is beautiful. Looks like her daddy. I know you are proud of her.
just remember, one of these days when she can read, she might say Daddy what does *#@& mean, and you’ll say Brenley don’t you say that and she’ll say then why did you write it Daddy?
monkey see monkey do :)
loved your story. you’re a good writer, almost a philosopher. kinda scary.
I love you.
Aunt Kathy
Kathy Watson / July 2nd, 2006, 9:45 pm / #
Trust me. A random call from someone she loves is never a bad thing. It’s like a previous post of yours about someone watching your back. It’s good to know there’s somone that cares enough to call and say they’re thinking about you. Additionally, it will end up being part of your ‘mind candy’ for when you get older. It will mean a lot to you when Brenley says ‘Remember when you used to call me for no reason other than to say you loved me…’
Rick / July 5th, 2006, 8:57 am / #
Wise words. ;)
gphat / July 5th, 2006, 9:07 am / #
Wow. 52 years of oblivious behavior (18+ as a parent) finally pays off…:)
Rick / July 5th, 2006, 10:39 am / #
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