Obstacles On The Road To Success

Back to fathers and their adult children, I'm 52 and wouldn't know what to do without my dad to fall back on once in a while. He's beginning to feel his mortality though and was here for a week - just left today. He came to bring my brother and me a bunch of family stuff and to celebrate his 78th (39th) birthday. It was so fine to have him around to talk to for a few days. I didn't appreciate him enough when I was in my 20s but I sure as hell do now. He's a savvy dude who walks his own talk, and he's bailed me out of a lot of jams he didn't approve of. There aren't many people who have earned my unconditional respect but he's had it as long as I've been a grownup. I'm fortunate that my own 23 year old son has enough regard for me to hang around here on weekends and stuff. He has a 2 month old baby, so we had four generations of Larsen men in the house yesterday! It was pretty cool. But I have to say, if you put my dreadlock & tattoo son next to my ramrod straight church president father, you'd wonder what happened... :D They are about as diametrically opposed as two American men can be. Of the two, my father is by far the most mature; I felt a little sorry for Adam, he has a chip on his shoulder that feels awfully familiar. I think we've all done the drive me home or drive me to work duty; it wouldn't be right if we hadn't. But I'm pretty sure if I'd have called my dad to drive me home because I was drunk at 2 am, he'd have said, "walk." And expected me to walk, too. ;) I wouldn't trade my dad or my son for anything; they've both enriched my life beyond any expectations. And they're both proud of me making knives, too! :D
 
I raced home from work today, and went up and picked up my Son from work as soon as he got off. We went out to dinner together and generally spent time being goofy. I have to admit, however, that I had an ulterior motive. I was doing my best to keep him occupied, so that by the time we got through hanging out, he might have been too tired from working and hangin out, to call his so called "Friends" up and 420 out.
 
UPDATE: As of now, Linda will drive him in on mornings, and I'll pick him up. We did this yesterday, and what a relief! Its actually pretty cool, because Linda is using her evening times to study, as all medical professions are constantly doing. This will work. I've got more time to concentrate in the shop now, without blowing my entire morning on the road. :p
 
Great to hear you've got a plan Jeff. I'm rooting for you. ;)
Dave, it's good to hear of your close relationship with your Dad. I wish I would have wised up before I lost mine. I had a rough childhood with my parents divorcing and always blamed both my Mom and Dad for it. I'm a hard head and wouldn't listen to reason when my Dad tried to explain the situation. He died and now I feel like a guilty for being so bullheaded. Life is to short to dwell on the past.
Scott
 
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