This sweet young woman is proof that when I die, in some small way I did help to make the World a better place. I cannot take full credit for the wonderful person she has become. I will say that by not interfering, I did not saddle her with the baggage I have carried with me these last 55 years. Instilling all the feel good moralities that make our culture what it is is the easy part. Refraining from also depositing personal bias and bad habits is another kettle of fish altogether. Because that happens unconciously for the most part.I do not deserve this woman as my offspring. If Life was really fair, I should have been saddled with a pain in the ass, bail me out of trouble for 10 years kinda kid. It would have been the appropriate and fair pay back for the torment I brought on my parents. But somehow, I won the kid lottery. Go figure.
Lis is not only my daughter, she is my close friend, my favorite cycling partner, and kindest critic. She has slapped me back to reality several times when I seemed out of control. Without her in my life, well, I just cannot even imagine how that would have gone down.
Lis is a grad student now. She has officially moved out I guess. The full brunt of the "empty nest" syndrome has started to take it's toll. I find myself wishing to turn back the clock to the times when I was "the man" in her life. I miss every moment spent raising her.
6 comments:
The empty nest gets very comfortable with time. Wife and I have been living alone for over 10 years.
BTW, my computer as always fixed itself five miles into my morning commute today. I guess I spun the wheel the other day for nothing.
She sounds like a great girl, and even if you think you don't deserve her, I think you've done well for her. She couldn't have turned out so well without love, support, and guidance from her parents.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment on my blog the other day (here)
I am dying to try some bicycle camping or something similar. I have read about some sub 24 hour overnight trips (S24Os) and I hope to try one soon. I think at first, I'd take the road bike and go to an established campground, to get the hang of it. Then branch out from there.
Yes, Yellowwood is great, and there's another nearby state forest. In some ways, I prefer them to the groomed, perfect (and more touristy) state parks. There are endless places to explore, and few people to encounter.
All I want to know is how someone as "Butt Ugly" as you turned out such a sweet, cute daughter! ;)(Kidding ya!)
Well, keep up the great blogging, Crum, and have a great one!
midnight rider - I guess we started to feel some when she went away to school for her undergraduate years. Then last summer I moved her into her first apartment (the pic) down at Chapel Hill/UNc(Go Tarheels!). Anyway, we have not seen her much in the last year. Her program pretty much takes up her time 24/7. I will get used to it I am sure. I guess I just feel kinda good that I do miss her. It would be sad if I didn't.
Apertome - The first tour is always the toughest. I found that after my first one, I had made many a molehill into mountains in my mind. And I found I missed some basics that were fixed the next go around. Probably a good idea to keep it simple and on the road. I did, but only because I had not thought of off road touring yet.
Tom and Crazy Lady- Yeah she is a peach. Except when she's dusting me out on the trail or the road. Maybe that's what I really miss. Kicking her butt on the trail before she found her rhythm at age 13 or so.
awwww.....I hope my parents feel the same way about me. Except I lived ungratefully for free in their large, air conditioned house with a full pantry for 22 years until they paid $10k for a wedding for me to get me out of the house.
Indeed, my parents are enjoying the empty nest, as it brought with it mountain bikes, a Porsche Boxster, and five grandchildren. May you enjoy the same.
Tag, you're it!-Crazylady
http://crazyladysquest.blogspot.com/
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