I digress. Some people wrinkle and fade like a cheap suit when the pressure's on, but that's when I am at my best. Of course, it's truthiness that allows me to say that. In actuality, I just don't crack when others have. So it only seems like I'm getting something done when really I'm just keeping my head a few inches higher above the water than everyone else. My best work is always that for which I am well prepared and can take my time. Nonetheless, I have only ever completed those tasks which needed the most attention. Example: I've had the new Beckworth Associates logo done for weeks. Why isn't the web site up? I could say it's because I am tired or busy at work or whatever, but truth (not truthiness) is that I would rather watch The Colbert Report on Comedy Central.
This weekend I finally learned where I get my get-go from. My Dad. What a great guy. We kids have crapped on him for years. You weren't around when I needed this. And where were you when I needed that? Don't get me wrong, Ed is a bit of a loon. Not real reliable in general, but if you call him and say,"Dad, I could really use your help. Bring tools." He's there.
Many years ago, I spent a lot of time setting myself on my own path. I questioned why my Dad never this and that. Any kid of divorced parents goes through this. Determined not to end up like my siblings, I took control of my situation and decided long ago, that Dad did whatever he did because of him. Not because of me. I was right. Ed is a little loco. He lacks goal and a desire for self-actualization. He fails to grow inside and mature completely for a number of very good and very sad reasons. Ed also did an amazing thing and kept a cycle of hurt from continuing past him. Interpersonally, Ed gets a bye with me. A lot of times he's great to talk to and hang with once you give him a moment to acclimate and unload.
Dad is pretty awesome. He doesn't get enough credit. He takes pride in being a hard worker. He's an excellent provider. He is patient. He's willing to teach if you are willing to learn and willing to take over and finish a task when you've tried your best. Then he takes time to show you how to do something right without chiding you or making feel less of a person for not knowing. He values the nearly lost art of DOING THINGS RIGHT and not just doing things. His best tools: common sense, high mechanical aptitude, true self-reliance, persistence.
A lot of times I catch myself, more frequently my brother, saying something Dad would say. What I really mean is that is something Ed would do or say. As far as Dads go, if yours isn't like mine, you probably need to invite me up for a weekend to help you around the house and teach you a few things!
Today I am grateful for:
- Getting it done around the house: saving $3,000 in a/c work with $20 in parts, fixing a sticky door, fixing another sticky door, hanging a ceiling fan on the back porch (including running electrical wiring), making the back porch ceiling look better than before, learning that gasoline gets out oil-based paint and Tide gets out gas, fixing the spring-loaded hinge on my door rather than buying new just by tightening and "making" a new pin to hold it, hanging a new light fixture on my porch, installing a new recessed socket so Kristina can have a lamp on our entry table.
- An increase in confidence that I will be an even better father. I will build on the lessons I have been taught and give John all the opportunity to be a better man than I.
- My extremely sexy pregnant wife. Every day she is more beautiful to me.
- Mister Active - John Cannon - that's his pro-wrestler name. The kid has moves.
- An awesome family dinner with the bro's fam and Dad's fam.
- You
