The boys and I went home Friday night to celebrate my dad's birthday! It was a last-minute decision but it's been awhile since the boys got the full attention of Gma and Gpa Remsburg and they were in need of a little extra TLC. My husband stayed back for a softball tournament and enjoyed his night alone, and his peace-free morning!
Here are a few of my dad's favorite quotes I heard from him growing up:
* Because I said so, that's why.
* Did I ask what you thought?
* Just do it. (As in- just do it, quit asking me questions and complaining and just do it).
* Think before you speak.
* Don't try to keep up with the Jones'. You'll never catch up.
* I don't always promise to be equal, but I promise to be fair.
* Stop your crying and get over here.
* It's not that bad. It's just blood. Get over it.
* I don't care that every other senior has a curfew of midnight. Yours is 10:30. Now, enjoy it- you only have an hour.
* You will do it and you will like it.
* Let's go pick up rocks! (Translation: I'll drive the skidloader, you pick up the rocks in front of me).
* There is no such thing as an allowance in this house. Why would I pay you for something you should be doing anyway?
* Can't shit his pants cuz he couldn't get them down. (Okay, so I'm not really sure what this means...but he said it.)
* Look at me when I'm talking to you.
* DO NOT treat your mother like that.
* Get off the phone. NOW.
* Don't say you're sorry. Just don't do it again.
* No child should grow up without hearing the words "We can't afford it."
* It's not the end of the world. Trust me.
I've got to tell you that I am trying to use some of these same lines on my own children. But, most of these lines have more impact with my dad's eyes. My brother and sister know EXACTLY what I'm talking about....THE LOOK. Dad should patent it he's so good at it. It's like you feel his eyes stun you in the back when you've just done something stupid. And, then you slowly turn around, knowing they are going to jab you at any moment, and you finally do...and There. They. Are. Staring at you saying "Just you wait until we get home" or "Get in the car now" or "Get over here immediately" or "What do you think you are doing?" or "We WILL address this later" or "Trust me- I will not forget why I am mad at you." Sometimes "The Look" is accompanied by the "kick under the table" or the "pinch on your arm." Dad can disguise the look very well in public too. I'm working on that exact look. I'm trying to perfect it. I'm fortunate to have my dad's eyes- big and brown- so I feel that they have more "punch" to them when you give "the look." Joey is starting to learn it- I noticed last week, I gave him "the look" across the room, and he put down his weapon of choice against his brother and ran out of the room. That's progress. And, always, after the look, you got "the talk." The talk could have taken place anywhere- the car ride home, in your bedroom, in the living room but you were usually on your own. You had no friends and no siblings in the room to back you, support you or console you. You were summoned, "Holly, get in here...now" and you went bravely onward. Few times did the talk end up in your favor. Most times the talk ended with an apology to my mom or sister or brother.
I think though the good thing I also learned is that we may have gotten "the look" and "the talk" a lot, but when it was over, it was over. We moved on. We didn't go to separate rooms or storm out or pout for 2 days (my sister did attempt these routes...let's just say, they didn't work in her favor). I've found that most women can take things to heart and stew over things and try to analyze why someone did something and what they did wrong and how they can change things....whereas, I think dads do a better job at just looking at the situation, doing a quick assessment and then moving on. No grudges. No tears. No heartfelt letters or feelings poured out. No time wasted. There's something to be said for that.
So, here's to "the look," "the talk," and moving forward. Just one of the FEW lessons I learned from my dad! Happy Birthday! I love you!
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