Sunday, June 21, 2009

Okay, okay...Father's Day got to me...

Okay...my compulsive sense of humor usually keeps me from getting all mushy. And Bagman helps by keeping me kind of wild and lusty and Butler helps by keeping me kind of proper and rigid. And I once wrote a blog about crying that I can't easily find now or I might link it.

And I was in a crappy mood this weekend anyway and woke up Sunday just wanting to kind of get it all over with. But I put on a good front when my son, Brian, his wife Melody, and grandson Conner showed up. The plan was for Karen and Melody to cook breakfast for me and Brian.

Yeah, yeah...Father's Day...that's the usual plan. And then they showed up with the biggest card I'd ever seen that they had made for me. Melody had done the artwork on the front and there on the inside were Brian's handprints!

Now this doesn't show the scale. But it was adorable. I looked a little tonight through old scrapbooks because everyone who has ever raised kids has had at least one card or paper sent home from kindergarten or church school with those cute, tiny fingerpaint handprints...and I know we have some of Brian when he was four or five or six and although I couldn't easily locate them, they could probably fit in one his current, big old meaty thumbs.

Big as they were -- suddenly he was my little boy again. And then I read the message he had written on the right side of the card...


...and you can't read it all in the photograph but if you look, you can get the gist...and I don't have the emotional stamina to transcribe here. I don't think a tear actually squeezed out -- because that's me, dammit -- but when I looked up at the faces of Brian, Melody, and Karen -- it looked like they were all preparing to catch me if I fainted so something must have been showing.

And Brian was holding Conner...and I just pray that someday years from now...Brian's going to get the same affirmation of his life that Brian gave me.

BAGMAN: Get a grip, Mark! Don't get all mushy now!

And we went to the pool and after they left, Karen and I ate a pie that Melody had made with incredible thoughtfulness...inventing it with chocolate, more chocolate, chocolate chips, just a little peanut butter (because she knows me well), and more chocolate! I'm sorry that Blogspot hasn't developed the technology yet to allow me to upload taste. It was so good that it almost negates the idea that it's the thought that counts. Because the thought was incredibly sweet.

But, in all honesty, the taste was pretty sweet too! It might be a toss-up.

Anyhow...one amazing, powerful, wonderful Father's Day for this old fart.

And stay tuned because after next Saturday I might not be blogging as much because we're getting a visit from Jean, my daughter from an earlier life who has somehow found the courage to reconnect with me. Last time I saw her she was maybe 10 years old or so. She is now 32.

BAGMAN: Oh no! Not more mush! Can't we at least find some time to make off-color remarks?

19 comments:

  1. loved your description of your father's day. I saw those tears in your eyes no matter what bagman says!

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  2. this wasn't too mushy - I double clicked the photo and was able to read it quite nicely. congradulations on being a good father and (now) grandfather. I look forward to hearing a bit about your daughter - good luck.

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  3. WOW! What an awesome tribute - I can only imagine what it must have felt like to know that you have impacted your child that way! Good on ya, BB! Desert sounds decadent and delicious! Can't wait to hear about your daughter.

    Happy Fathers Day Mark!

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  4. Happy Father's Day, Mark. You raised an amazing son, you should be very proud of yourself. Clearly, he is very proud of you....

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  5. What a fantastic day you had! And I'm so glad because you are deserving! So, Happy Father's Day, Mark, from this old broad in Seattle along with a big hug, I'm so very happy for you, it says a lot when your kids do this sort of thing for you, so a tear is ok and you know what to tell Bagman he can do! Look forward to hearing about your daughter.

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  6. Awww, Happy Fathers Day Mark!! That is so thoughtful of your son, I think I'll copy his idea ;D That is neat about your daughter as well.

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  7. Happy father's day. In New Zealand, our fathers have to wait until Sept. My husband gets two wishes. Our oldest daughter rang up from Singapore and wished him happy father's day, and in Sept, our two other kids will pamper him.

    Thanks for visiting my site.

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  8. Hi Mark,

    that was a lovely touching Fathers' Day post. Yes I have a collection of those little hand prints but getting man sized ones was a novel idea...from a loving son...

    Happy Days

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  9. *happy smile* ... you deserve your joy.

    Happy Father's Day even if it isn't until September!

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  10. I think it was very mushy and brought tears to my eyes. When guys get sentimental, esp. fathers and sons, it just grabs my heart. You are one lucky dude.

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  11. That Card is priceless! Great job being a great Dad!

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  12. I like the big boy hand prints. What fun! Now, that was not too mushy, not for an old pro like you.

    BTW: you need to get higher rated sunscreen. That 15 SPF is just not high enough for your part of the country.

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  13. Happy Father's Day, Mark!

    :) I love the hand prints.

    You know, I can't ever ride a roller coaster again, without thinking of the story you told about the ones you went on with your son.

    LOL - you are a great Dad!

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  14. That really was a special Father's Day. Love the card idea. All these comments hit the nail on the head. You can be proud. And a tear is appropriate.

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  15. Brilliant idea by your son! ... and yes, I imagine what you felt!

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  16. I like the soft side (get a grip, B & B). And I'm excited to hear what happens with Jean.

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  17. When I clicked on the image, I catually could read the card, and it was just about the most touching thing I've seen in a very long time! Thank-you Mark for being you, and raising your son to be just as tender!

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  18. What a fantastic card!!! That would cheer anyone up!

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