SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
“What are you doing this weekend? my youngest daughter questioned me.
“Why?” I answered her with a suspicious one of my own. I’ve come to learn that some days are better than others but had no idea what was in store for me this one.
“I was wondering if you wanted to hang out?” she told me.
“With you?” I asked a little caught off guard.
“Yeah – I thought we could hang out since I had to work the weekend of your birthday,” she explained.
“Of course – that’ll be great babe,” I answered, pleased as punch.
My youngest wasn’t around much, what with her hectic schedule that juggles school activities, work, and not to mention she’s sixteen and it’s not so cool to hang out with your dad. All that had me not exactly holding my breath on a follow up of it actually happening.
When she was little we went together like peanut butter and jelly. On the weekends, she’d go to work with me. When the weather was nice she’d use blocks of cut lumber to build and create her own little villages for hours on end while I worked close by.
On the rare days of bad weather, I’d leave her in my truck with the engine running and the heater toasting her warmly. It didn’t take her too long to figure out how to use the horn as my reminder that she was there waiting for me. Even after I urged her to not use the horn, it was of little use. She figured out too that it made me laugh every time she laid on the horn and made it play a one note song.
Being a little kid at heart, after my half day of work on Saturday was done, it was my pleasure to swing by the local amusement park. We played miniature golf, rode the go-carts, her in my lap. We played video games, pinball, and one of her all time favorites; air hockey. She didn’t know when she was small I’d let her win.
I didn’t think much of that tradition at the time, but we’d always wrap up our outing, after cashing in the cache of tickets to exchange for the cheap trinkets, of course, by stopping at the photo booth for carnival type black and white photos… sure glad I did that.
I was surprised again when my daughter asked me if I was ready to go the next weekend.
“Where we going?” I asked.
“You’ll see,” my little one teased… I have no idea where she learned to do that…
I wasn’t shocked that our very first stop on “hang out” day was Cracker Jax, our old stomping grounds. It’s changed a bit, looks older, like me I guess. They don’t have pinball machines anymore and a new laser tag has gobbled up most of the arcade space. But the place was still magical. Not so much the place as it was the precious time and memories made with my daughter there.
Like the old arcade has changed, so has my daughter and myself to a lesser degree. I don’t let her win at air hockey anymore… she does that on her own occasionally without any help from me.
The little girl I once carried like a football is fully grown now… she’s taller than her mom, but not too old to sit on my knee in the photo booth at the end of one of our amusement park outings. Birthday presents just don’t get any better than that in this life.
“Did you have fun, dad?” my daughter asked, knowing full well the answer, but just wanted to hear me say it.
“It was great, babe. It couldn’t have been any better, thanks, babe.”
“You’re welcome,” she said… beaming like the twinkle of her in her dad’s eyes…
Rick Dawson
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 12:49 am
Awww, man – what a sweet heart your daughter has. I don’t wonder where she got that from, but it is great to see. Memories are made of this, and stuff just like it. Blessing to all y’all… 🙂
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 3:09 am
I love it! Thanks for sharing a slice of your life Floyd!!
Betty Draper
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 7:46 am
What a thoughtful daughter you have. Something she learned from you and your wife I am sure. Good post to start my morning brother. Blessing.
Sharon
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 1:43 pm
The photos are priceless, Floyd. She is beautiful and funny – a good combo!! And I can tell how much she loves her daddy. What a precious gift that is! On this past Saturday, I got to tour a museum full of vintage planes, motorcycles, and cars. It was great. A highlight was watching a B-17 “Flying Fortress” take off and do pass-overs. Love the sound of those propellers!
But the best part of the whole day? Spending it with my sons and my daughter-in-law. I will never, ever take for granted the great gift of my children, and the people they add to my life.
They do indeed make me twinkle.
GOD BLESS!
Sharon
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 1:44 pm
P.S. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the big Wedding Day! Congrats again!
Pam
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 6:45 pm
What a beautiful gesture from your daughter. Those times mean more than any other gift ever could.
Hazel Moon
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 7:12 pm
How thoughtful of your daughter to give you a Birthday Gift just full of memories. The photo was a great idea to end the day. Thanks for sharing this wonderful time of hanging out with daughter, at “Tell Me a True Story.”
Hazel Moon
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 11:56 pm
http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/ Tell Me a Story Site
Audra Krell
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 7:25 pm
It’s so PERFECT that you posted the actual picture!! What a precious, wonderful gift she is. I love this post.
saleslady371
Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 8:39 pm
You’re a fun dad; no wonder she wants to hang out with you!!!! She’s a cutie.
Caleb Suko
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 @ 5:14 am
Floyd, you give me hope man! I need to make sure I’m not too busy to hang out with my kids. What a wonderful testimony your family has!
TC Avey
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 @ 1:20 pm
That’s sweet.
Brought tears to my eyes.
Jennifer Dougan
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 @ 9:29 pm
What a great time and memory with your daughter, Floyd! 🙂 So sweet. My eldest called me today at work to see if I needed a ride home in the cold. I was touched by that gesture too. It’s fun, isn’t it?
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Loren Pinilis
Thursday, December 18, 2014 @ 11:05 am
Too cute. My oldest is six so I look forward to times like this in the future. Although with three boys, I doubt there will be anyone sitting on my knee, haha.
Joanne Norton
Thursday, December 18, 2014 @ 1:04 pm
What a treat to hear your pieces between the two of you and the pictures. I smiled and smiled and grinned and laughed. Needed that!! Thanks much, Brother. You shared beautifully!!
Barb Raveling
Friday, December 19, 2014 @ 1:49 pm
What a great story, Floyd. Thanks for letting us in on your fun day, plus it was great to see the pictures. Our two girls come home tomorrow for the holidays and one of our sons on Christmas Eve. Can’t wait to see all of them and enjoy having fun with each other! Aren’t we blessed to be parents? Have a great Christmas.
Betty Jo
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 8:26 am
Hi Dear Floyd! This is so precious and brought me to tears, as I imagined how wonderful this outing was for both of you. You’re making memories that will last a lifetime; both yours, and hers. What a cutie pie she is too!! What I would give to have had such a wonderful relationship with my father. At least my son had that with his; so I’m grateful. Sorry I haven’t been by for months. I’ve been “under the weather” with a severe bout of carpal tunnel, so not online much the past few months. Hope to update my blog soon and to share about it. But, just wanted to drop by and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the best New Year ever!!
child of God
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 12:10 pm
What a precious birthday gift! She sure knows how to reach her daddy’s heart.
Blessings Floyd. 🙂