It can’t be easy, being a dad. I think it’s probably especially hard to be the dad of daughters, because everyone knows that daughters are mysterious and mercurial creatures, sprung from moonbeams and seafoam and a sprinkling of fairy dust. They are hard to hold and even harder to understand, these girls, who operate on a completely different scale than yourself. You’re pretty sure–and a little afraid–that they harbor many secrets that you’ll never be privy to.
Sometimes you watch them out of the corner of your eye as you scan the evening paper, drink in the bouncy curls, the frothy skirts twirling around tender knees, the easy and loose way they have of owning a room. How do girls do that, you wonder? Enter a room and claim it as theirs, whether by beauty or wit or temperament or a squeal of delight? No matter the method, they manage it, and you are irritated and charmed at the same time.
You hold them softly, like butterflies, even on days they are tiger-ish, because to you they will always be butterflies. You think that if you were to grasp them right now, these girls who have grown far too big for your hands, you would still feel the fluttery pulse, the cadence of creatures yearning to fly.
This is for you.
Today, I am lucky enough to spend a day out at the ballgame with two of my favorite men. And the minxes, and Mama, and Awesome Stepkid Ro, and our Paola. Many Chicago dogs will be eaten, a few craft beers will sluice down gullets, and many, many, sugary snacks will fill Minx tummies. It will be Heaven. I am so grateful and so very, very lucky.
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Ah fathers and daughters…
Have great day!
Your artistry with these words–and more than that, the precious and mysterious dad/daughter relationship that you describe–leaves me breathless this morning.
You’re right; it can’t be easy. I like to think I know the girls much better, understand them more, expect and am not surprised by All The Things. But in reality, it’s only half an iota of a smidgeon of more knowledge/understanding than he has. I like to watch him try to figure them out, though (especially amid fighting the realization that he will never figure them out). Such a boy.
*sigh* Love. I just finished penning a letter to my own father so the tears are fresh, but with so many extraordinary memories, my heart is full. I adore your words and always follow your posts, even though mostly too shy to speak up. I wish you all a magical day!
Miss Annie V.,
I’m glad to meet you and happy that you spoke up! We did have a great day, although our baseball team is *not* good!
Sounds like the perfect Father/Daughters Day. My dad has never understood me but his love is undeniable. Joe wanted a daughter but later admitted that God knew what he was doing when he sent a boy across that rainbow bridge.
We are lucky ducks aren’t we?
Katybeth,
Yes, we are lucky. Even if misunderstood, we knew that there was love behind it.
I can’t think of anything more beautiful than a grateful woman.
God bless you for knowing what you have, what you’ve had.
I love it – and love your photos. I miss my Dad and think of our relationship often now that he’s gone.
Happy Father’s Day to those tow wonderful men in your life!
Just beautiful. I can only imagine this father-daughter alchemy, as there are just boys in my house. But you evoke it so well I can almost feel those fluttery pulses myself.
Katrina,
Of course you can feel them–those fluttery pulses were once your own, and your father was trying to survive them. :)
Love the pictures – and love the love! And how fortunate for the dads as well as the daughters! (Have a wonderful weekend.)
You got me all teary reading this Kitch. Damn you and your way of tugging at even the most hardened of hearts ; )
Wendi,
Ha! You’re not foolin’ me!
For an authentic Chicago hot dog, my Dearly Beloved would join you in a heartbeat! As it is, his Father’s Day wish is to watch the US Open on television without hearing any griping from the peanut gallery. That’s why gawd invented earplugs, so I won’t have to listen to hours of men whispering about little white balls and some idiot yelling, “IN DA HOLE!” after every shot.
Mary Lee,
I’m sure Daddy-o will be doing the same thing!
Awwww. Such a sweet post from my favorite sister of snark. What’s got into you? ;)
Jane,
I’m pretty sure my snark is still in Mexico, searching for “Sexytime.” ;)
A beautiful post!
Yay for family outings and sugary treats and dads who actually show up for the game of parenting.
Darn. I promised myself that THIS year I would not cry on Father’s Day. But your writing is so beautiful…I’ll blame it on that.
Dawn,
I am sorry for the tears–did you lose your dad? Thinking of you today.
Yes, 8 years ago next Dec. And though I now I’m not alone, lots of people are without their dad, it’s still hard. Thanks for the kind thoughts. His picture is over on the blog.
Beautiful. :)
Beautiful…just like your family.
Yes, treasure the times together. I miss my dad so much!
What a lovely way to spend a day with the special men in your life! I’m so glad I don’t have daughters ;)
Coming to this one late, but I just wanted to say that I love it! Hope you all had a wonderful Father’s Day!
Love the picture of you and your dad. Even better is the one of your husband and daughter. What a handsome guy!
This post made me think about my own dad. I miss him so much.
Www so sweet thanks for posting
I heart this post. I know I am coming here late, but I love the way you write about Moms and Dads. Hope you and the gang had a wonderful and restful Father’s Day.
rudri,
Nothing restful about it. It was mayhem, as usual. But beautiful mayhem, at that. Thinking of you.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really realize what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my website =). We can have a hyperlink change arrangement among us
Excellent web site. A lot of useful info here. I’m sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks in your sweat!
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