Coach and Eddie convinced me that Dad WOULD really like the stories regardless of what he said about only wanting them if I emailed him a copy. The man is not a monster, but just short on thoughtful usage of the English language. And an inability to consider people’s feelings. I guess.
So, a few weeks later: 'Merry Christmas. Here’s the stories you said you didn’t want. Enjoy!' Dad reads constantly. These 39 pages were an afternoon project. No biggie.
![]() |
Cover of the book Dad gifted each family member Christmas 2017. |
So, just before Father’s Day I finally casually brought it up.
Me: Dad, did you ever read what I gave you for Christmas?
Dad: Oh, I don't know. Maybe. I read so much. What book was it? Remind me.
Me: Dad, it wasn’t a published book. It was stories that I wrote. Remember?
Dad: Oh. Yeah. I think I read that.
To clarify, Dad is not suffering from dementia. He has not lost his memory. I unerstand he might not remember what book I have him for Christmas, because each Christmas he puts together a book-wish-list and requests that people shop off of that. My gift was not on that list.
So, here is my question for you, what’s worse:
So, here is my question for you, what’s worse:
the fact that he read it and didn’t remember reading it,
the fact that he read it and didn’t call me or mention it in person (my folks live within walking distance to us and we see them almost weekly at Church),
or the fact that he did not even remember that I gave him something that I personally wrote and was a bit fuzzy on whether or not he read it? Remember these were light-hearted, sweet, funny memories. I was not asking him to read some complicated novel with multiple characters.
Or am I just a fool for giving him something that he said he didn't want because it couldn't be attached to an email? Maybe this means he wanted to read two pages or less attached to an email. He has loads of time on his hands, and reading is his favorite past time, so mind-blown over here.
Now about that flipping White Sox game that Marie promised to gift Dad for Father's Day . . .
Or am I just a fool for giving him something that he said he didn't want because it couldn't be attached to an email? Maybe this means he wanted to read two pages or less attached to an email. He has loads of time on his hands, and reading is his favorite past time, so mind-blown over here.
Now about that flipping White Sox game that Marie promised to gift Dad for Father's Day . . .
6 comments:
I went on a raving lunatic commenting spree on your blog today. I apologize for all of the reading you will have to do. :)
Bring it! I am looking forward to what you had to say, and I am worried about how far back you went, like is is cringe worthy - the old, super long text, no pictures stuff? Or did you decide to become acquainted with when I lost my drivers license for excess of speeding tickets?
I don't know what's worse. From an outsider...you're both making me feel slightly uncomfortable with all the 'read this, no, read this'. LOL.
His book (I went back and looked) was kind of bizarre to me. I have a feeling he just doesn't know how to communicate very well? Maybe?
I would agree that his communication skills lack. He does not always THINK about how what he says will be received. He once took Lad to a ND alumni dinner downtown. It was supposed to be special time. Lad was in about 7th or 8th grade. Totally backfired when my dad assured him he could not get into Notre Dame. Even if he was right, telling him that RIGHT THEN hurt like Hell. Coach and I were anxious to see Lad come home excited about this big kid thing he got to do with his grandpa. Instead: totally deflated. My dad's book was supposed to be his life story for posterity, but he favors certain offspring and that was evident.
Maybe the stories and the gift really touched your dad but he doesn't have the communication skills to tell you without getting emotional and maybe he doesn't want you to see him that way?
Or maybe he is just an a$$?
He definitely did not feel so touched that he couldn't speak about it. that made me laugh though. I am trying to track it up to old age, but so many previous oversights it is hard to do that. It is hard because he won't be here forever. I wish I could just ignore it, but that just doesn't seem to be in my makeup.
Post a Comment