Your Symptoms, Her Symptoms
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.
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