Category: Dad Stories

Truth in Short

Stocky is the word that comes to mind when I see photos of my self as a 10 year old. I was a blocky looking kid with long curly hair, chubby cheeks and lacking in height.
I would lean out in the later years but never reached 6 feet like I wanted to.
That’s why it’s a marvel to look at my gazelle like boy running about the home. He’s got that strong swimmers back and lean long legs that in time will lead his line of sight centimeters past mine. One day I’ll have to look up to my son because that’s what the genes seem to dictate.

Ain’t life funny?

Described as a Hispanic Male

Walked to a usually quiet local playground today with my kin and as we approached I noticed a tattooed dude near the structure. He stood about 5’7″, Hispanic, wore a black t-shirt emblazoned with the photo of Marilyn Monroe sporting a bandana. Long black socks and black tennis to match. Khaki long shorts. Bald head, goatee and a variety of body arts on his arms and legs.
My pace slowed as we came near him and then we heard “daddy chase me” coming from behind the slide. This was just a dad…a dad just like me who took his tykes out on a Sunday stroll.

Now I sit here at the swing thinking…what would his Facebook post about me say?

Righteous Indignation

Even from the farthest and most opposite side of the house (with the laundry machine on) there’s a certain tone of voice that tells THIS dad that an ensuing argument is manifesting. With righteous indignation I stomp towards their room ready and prepared to hand out swift justice. On the approach I hear my oldest tell my youngest that “you don’t always get what you want but if you play nice you may get what you need.” 
Stunned I wait and then the game commences again quietly. I step back and away slowly from their door…they did the work for me and I have nothing to add.

Who’s the Boss

Now some may disagree but I happen to be a pretty good manager of things.
Under my watch my clients are kept up to date on their home purchases, kids are picked up from camp, laundry gets done, dogs get petted, and I even get some time to draft snappy little blog posts to all y’all.

That’s all great but some of it seems a little empty when the Torres Family CEO is not here at headquarters overlooking…and though I am proud to see her travel for work I am looking forward to that moment she sets foot back at Casa Torres so we can chill and watch some Netflix together.

Warning Label

Future Friend – Your first interaction with me probably involved me saying something objectionable but funny. Heck I may have had some fun at your expense. 
You probably thought, “boy this guy is a bit full of himself” or “did this bloke really just say that.” In most cases your reaction is completely warranted and I don’t blame you for being cautious. But note (I have references) that if we are now friends you probably discovered that I am a good pal who is genuinely interested in what you have to say, I’ll be there when you need me and my jokes get way better the more we drink. 
So…thank you for being a friend and lighten up will ya?

Gray Matter

You see a photo and you wonder…you’re no longer the cute boy with sleek abs, tanned chest, muscled thighs and a plucky thesis research paper. Now you’re the dude that needs to make sure the olde land mower is working, that remains sensitively steadfast in a fast changing political/material world and who somehow remains the apple of the eye of those who matter most. 
You are tough, but sensitive. You are nerdy but cool. You are a hero but the heel who lays down the law. You’re a DAD and you do the best you can and hope one day over some BBQ you’ll overhear them saying. “Man you should have known my pop back in the day….”

A Fairy Accounting

Some days just turn on a dime and this afternoon I had to mange a fairly detailed and emotional audit.

Seem that because of the hectic nature of the last few days there were a few but significant miss-entries in the ledger. It’s all sorted out now and our accounting is reconciled but to imagine that this whole thing started because someone lost a tooth yesterday, the tooth-fairy made a late night deposit and we’ve been trying to teach the kids the pragmatism of keeping a check-book.

Dad Stories – Death and Eggs

We had an unexpected talk about the meaning of death around the breakfast table this morning after listening to my kids telling silly scary stories that involved one another.
It’s challenging to hear your kids utter some words and as I heard them a twinge of pain fell over me. I stopped them and asked to talk.
We discussed the finality of death and what it means to loose someone close to our hearts. The dog we recently lost was brought up and that we would never see her again. This hit a nerve. A sad one.
I did not like to break up their imaginative silly talk with a serious conversation. But at that point my adventurers needed to know my feelings on the matter and how it was impacting me. 
It’s not easy this parenting gig and I can’t say I handled it perfectly but I think we all grew up a little over eggs and biscuits.

To Tell the Truth

I called him over and put my hands at his shoulders. We locked eyes and I saw a well of emotion creeping up as his eyes started to tear up. 
“Tell the truth….please tell me what happened.” After a brief paused he told me and a tear ran down his cheek. Was I angry? Yes…but that was transitory as it was an opportunity to teach my son about taking ownership of his own actions and trust that he could talk to me about what was going on his life. 
We hugged and he’s now raking the entire back yard…he’s surprisingly okay with the punishment he was dealt.

Christmas Gift

I rose….EXCITED. The morning finally came and I was ready for the result of the very very long wait. No…I wasn’t looking for present from Santa (though totally real) I was adjusting my eyes to the light so I could see my kiddos discover the gifts that arrived magically through the night. 
And that buenos amigos may be the best gift of all.