Sunday was Father’s Day. It’s 1 day set aside during the year to honor fathers. My day was ruined when my dear mother of my kids thought I was sleeping and told her dad something I really didn’t want to hear.
It all started Sunday morning. There was a Father’s Day card sitting on top of Maribeth’s dresser. It was just sitting there for hours during the morning. Deep in the back of my mind, I felt that I shouldn’t open it until Maribeth presented it to me. But, I couldn’t wait. So I picked it up and opened it.
It really made me feel happy. It touched my heart. The card said, “Thank you for taking such good care of our family. You are loved and appreciated more than you know”. Amid all the differences that Maribeth and I had (we’re still divorced, after all) the message felt really sweet. It seemed like the work I've done with my kids was really, sincerely appreciated.
So, that morning, I told Maribeth how much I appreciated the card. She asked, “Really?” “Yes!” I replied. I felt like asking her if she really meant it, but that would have been wrong (until I learned what happened later!).
Then she took me to breakfast (McDonalds), and I enjoyed brunch with her and our 3 kids and 2 girlfriends of Brianna. Then we went to her Dad’s place. She bought her Dad ribs from the Patio. Then I reclined, and she thought I was sleeping. So she said to her Dad, “I actually got you a card, but Vince picked it up by mistake and thought it was his.”
Then while I was writing this post I was even more upset. Because if I even had the presence mind to read the whole card, I would have noticed that Maribeth signed my name to her dad’s card. But I was too stupid. That made me even more angry then I already felt.
This is one Father’s Day I would love to forget, but won’t be able to. But the lesson is learned: never pick up and open a card that isn’t presented to you.
It all started Sunday morning. There was a Father’s Day card sitting on top of Maribeth’s dresser. It was just sitting there for hours during the morning. Deep in the back of my mind, I felt that I shouldn’t open it until Maribeth presented it to me. But, I couldn’t wait. So I picked it up and opened it.
It really made me feel happy. It touched my heart. The card said, “Thank you for taking such good care of our family. You are loved and appreciated more than you know”. Amid all the differences that Maribeth and I had (we’re still divorced, after all) the message felt really sweet. It seemed like the work I've done with my kids was really, sincerely appreciated.
So, that morning, I told Maribeth how much I appreciated the card. She asked, “Really?” “Yes!” I replied. I felt like asking her if she really meant it, but that would have been wrong (until I learned what happened later!).
Then she took me to breakfast (McDonalds), and I enjoyed brunch with her and our 3 kids and 2 girlfriends of Brianna. Then we went to her Dad’s place. She bought her Dad ribs from the Patio. Then I reclined, and she thought I was sleeping. So she said to her Dad, “I actually got you a card, but Vince picked it up by mistake and thought it was his.”
Then while I was writing this post I was even more upset. Because if I even had the presence mind to read the whole card, I would have noticed that Maribeth signed my name to her dad’s card. But I was too stupid. That made me even more angry then I already felt.
This is one Father’s Day I would love to forget, but won’t be able to. But the lesson is learned: never pick up and open a card that isn’t presented to you.
After reading the very nice message in the other father's card, I'm also reminded of 2 other sayings/lessons: If you feel good, don't worry, you'll get over it. If it's too good to be true, it usually is. By the way, I asked Ted (my son) later in the afternoon, "Ted, how many Father's Day cards did you sign?"
"One" (the same one I "signed").
Lately, there's a song that I have enjoyed listening to. It's by Nine Inch Nails, and it's called "Every Day Is Exactly the Same". The chorus definitely fits my mood. For the lyrics, go to www.nin.com/with_teeth
2 comments:
Oh, I'm SORRY to hear about this, Vince. I guess it's MUCH harder on you since you thought you had gotten a nice card in the morning...so it felt like being dropped down from the top of a high mountain. :-(((((
But anyway, Happy Father's Day. May God keep on molding you into the kind of father and person He wants you to be!!!! :-))))
Thanks Amel. Glad someone cares!
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