Fatherhood

A while back I wrote on my daughter’s confusion discerning me versus I in a sentence. I have taken a slower approach toward correcting her every single time she chose the erroneous one. I decided she would start to dislike me correcting her all the time. Now I do in on occasion, when I think it has been a while. I want to gently reinforce her correction. I know it will eventually come naturally, but a little help goes a long way.
However, something I did not expect came into being the other morning. Last weekend I decided it had been a while since I corrected her me versus I in one of her sentences. She floored me when she told me that the I’s were “All gone.” I was taken aback that she was smart enough to understand the concept. I, of course, let it go until the following day. I wanted to see if she would say the same thing. She did and I blurted out, and I had no idea where it came from, that the I’s were not all gone. I told her that I went to the store and bought all the I’s she needed. She asked me where they were and if I had more money. The concept of money is not lost on children!
I told her that the I’s were in a special place and when she needed them to use them all she wanted.
While she does still use me versus I a great deal, I do see a slight change. I do notice, after telling her a few times, that she has a lot of I’s, that she uses the” I” word more.

Did you ever notice that when something ails you, your daughter tells you that it ails her too? This morning I reached down to grab the newspaper, without bending down and using my knees, and felt the regret almost immediately. I felt a slight twitch and then it was all over.
I have had back problems before when I delivered furniture in New York. But, in recent years my back has been well.
I could not lift her like I do every morning and she did not understand why. I told her I hurt my back. She asked if her mommies back hurt. I told her no. Then she proceeded to tell me her back hurt. “Daddy and my back hurts, not mommies” was her reply.
Additionally, when I dropped her off to daycare, it was bitterly cold. Usually to expedite time, I carry her so she can avoid being in the cold for too long. Today she had to walk.
When she got in the door of the daycare, and took a few steps, there was water on the floor and she fell. I could not pick up my little girl as she was crying. I had to call for one of the aides there. She had her hands outstretched for her daddy and I could do nothing to placate her. Finally an aide came and picked her up. I gave her a kiss goodbye while she was still teary eyed.
Boy, did I feel bad not being able to console my child because it went against all my beliefs. My father was not around to help with his nine children and I swore when I had a child or children, I would take of them to the fullest extent possible so they would not have to go through what my family went through when we were children, kids, teenagers and young adults.
Despite it being an isolated incident, it just made me realize the importance of being a good father.

Caris turned three on February the ninth and we had three parties for her. One party was held for my wife’s dad side and we went to Bloomington Indiana to celebrate it. The second party was held in Carmel Indiana with my wife’s mom’s side. The last and not least party was held at my house for my side of the family.
I wanted to have one large party instead of breaking it into smaller ones but our house can not accommodate all those people. Last year we had rented a hall and hosted a party for everyone but that was expensive. Believe it or not having three parties for Caris was cheaper, but I still would of preferred all of us together. Birthdays denote family and family unity. By breaking it into increments, you do not experience the full embodiment of the occasion. That is my opinion and there are a lot of variables to consider. One primary thing to consider is if all three sides of the family get along well enough to partake in the festivities. And I can gladly state unequivocally that they do. While there are few commonalties that exist between the three groups, each one is mature enough to recognize that and work with it.
While friends went with to the party with my side of the family, each of our friends are well acquainted with all factions and would of been a great asset if a combined party was held in one locale.
However, that being said, the true winner in this is my daughter. She was asked what she wanted for her birthday and she told everyone she wanted books. My heart swelled with pride. I am an avid reader, as is my wife and any encouragement we can provide for her, we do in that venue. We read to her every night and she looks forward to it. Last night I read to her six books and she wanted more. I had to stop at six since it was well past her bedtime and there was school this morning.
Additionally, we asked people to contribute to her college fund he had set up for her a while back. So she got books, money for college, toys and clothes, and a great deal of attention and love. You can’t beat that.