Quotable: Dad

Father's Day is right around the corner and this year I'm heading back to Arizona to celebrate my hardworking dad, Erik. There will be plenty of beer to drink and lots of family time to be had. I rarely go back, especially during the summer so this is a real treat. I can't wait to see a real cactus and not just a bunch of succulents.

In honor of this holiday and all the mornings that Erik spent making me pancakes for breakfast, I decided today's quote would be one of the many priceless lessons my dad has taught me. As we would enjoy breakfast together in the mornings, I would talk my dad's ears off with all my childish woes about school, volleyball and Mr. Mau. Most of this garbage I can't even remember but Erik would sit there and entertain me while I rambled on. Slowly the newspaper made its appearance and then finally, after a few talks, it dawned on me that he wasn't listening anymore. Well, of course I had to ask in my most annoying preteen voice: "Are you listening to anything I'm saying?" The reaction was priceless: "No, I'm not." That's what my family calls "the hard truth". Well, of course my feelings were hurt and I needed an explanation. Happily Erik obliged: all those little things I was complaining about didn't really matter. I needed to stop wasting my time and energy on other people and learn the art of selective hearing. You know...letting it go in one ear and out the other, which he was delightfully exhibiting. So, did I learn this valuable skill? Yes and no. If it comes to being asked to do the dishes, then yes, but I still find myself in the kitchen talking up a storm to Sam about stupid things that occurred in the day. The difference is that I don't do it in that whiny voice anymore. ;)

 Quote via Dad

Stock image: Death to Stock Photo