Letter to Dad
From the mother of your favorite granddaughter, Liz
Our Dad’s words of wisdom
Dear Dad
... putting things into perspective
So its Father’s Day again, the day that the bourgeoisies capitalist West has decided to try to commercialize one of the most important relationships in my life. My liberal training (thanks again for footing the Harvard bill) encourages me to reject the very notion of celebrating fathers on this particular day, At the same time, some sentimental part of me (must be some recessive Whippen gene) thinks is nice to have the opportunity to tell you what an awesome dad you are.
. You don’t need to tell people how great you are. They will figure it out.
On On On On
love life money friendships
. You could go to a private school, or you could go to state school and get a brand new JEEP.
JEEP’s are cool, just not cool enough.
I have new perspective on the whole daughter-dad relationship in with my new WZL (“With Zoe Life”). In my WZL, I get to watch Alexis adore his daughter, play with her too rough, and look up in the reference book every time she does something new to scientifically prove that she is exceptional. In my WZL, I get to think about all the things they get to do together and wonder will I be able find GE graphic paper for her to learn her multiplication tables on? Will he be able to make up stories on the fly, given the following sort of parameters: tonight I want a story about a Princess Liz, koala bears, and the beach. And I’ve also gotten to see you interact with her, hand on chin, misty eyed, awe-struck by her ability to do basically nothing for hours at a time. “Exceptional, obviously very exceptional.” And to watch you watching me trying to be a mother.
... money and politics . If you are young and Republican when you are young, you have no heart. If you are old and a Democrat, you have no brain. . Don’t take any wooden nickels. . Rule #1 Call me if you need anything. Rule #2 Do not lend money to Sarah. . Upon hearing Liz wanted to buy a house in Turkey, your response was “That is just more proof that being educated don’t make you smart.”
Guess none of the Bucar girls are old yet!
Which brings me to the point of this letter. This year I’m not going to thank you for begin so supportive, or giving great advice, or making me always feel safe, secure, and loved. You know you are a good dad (duh, look at your three daughters, all who are happy, healthy, in loving relationships, and in fulfilling jobs). This year I want to thank you for something very very selfish: thank you for Zoe. What are the benefits of all this wisdom? No Bucar girl would be where she is in life - happy, healthy, grounded without your influence and solid advice. You advised Liz to follow her heart when choosing grad schools. Or, against all your instinct, you told Becky it was okay to make less money so long as she would be happier ... and you were right! For Katherine, the time between college and finding a job was extremely difficult. Your reassurances that things would work out was much needed and incredibly comforting.
How, you might ask, doe the Old man get credit for her highness, Miss Zazzafrazz? Well I don’t know if you have noticed, but I tend to work a little too hard (not sure where that trait came from). Kids were not really in the plan, at least not until I was ruling the world. And then you, the Old Man, started doing some really stupid things like having legs cramps, getting stints put into your heart, being a “cancer survivor.” And I realized if I ever had a kid and I wanted them to know you, I better get on it. And that cinched it for me. Alexis took some convincing, but I got my way.
When Dad says he is proud of us, well, it’s the most wonderful thing in the world.
So thanks, Old Man, for being so old and gimpy and crusty, and helping to kick my butt a little to start my new adventure as Zoe’s mom.
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Happy Fathers Day • 2009
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Happy Fathers Day • 2009