Mister Toads Wild Ride, Revisited…

Posted under Daughters, Ex's

A few years ago, I wrote about my experiences of teaching my youngest daughter how to drive.  I tried searching for it in my blog, but over the years, I’ve somehow lost that original story.  Too bad, it probably was a good one. 

What made me think to look up an old post on this blog is that just recently I’ve had to revisit driving training again.  No, I didn’t have another child.  If I had, there would be a doctor who I saw several years ago that I would be punching in the mouth.  The training involves my youngest daughter, again.  She didn’t forget how to drive, she does pretty well for the limited two years that she has had her California license. 

It’s that in the infinite wisdom that is my ex-wife and her husband, they bought her a gorgeous late 60’s VW square back station wagon.  The car has been a project of theirs for the last couple of years.  They have spent many weekends rebuilding the car almost from scratch.  The finished car is really a very pretty car to look at.  It will be a great car for a teenager to drive back and forth to school and work.  A cool car for Southern California.

The drawback.  It’s a four speed manual transmission.  Have you ever tried to teach a child how to drive a stick shift?  It’s like trying to herd cats or push spaghetti uphill.  It can be done, but with much difficulty. 

Now, my personal car is a BMW 5 series with a 5 speed manual transmission.  A stick shift (not the pedal shifters) but one that is easily driven.  This VW is a pain in the ass to drive.  The clutch has to be pushed down hard, the stick has to be moved hard to change gears, and the car drives like a slug.  Add to all this a teenager who knows nothing about why there is three pedals and not just two on the floorboard. 

So I begin the teaching process of how to feather the clutch and accelerator while still working the brake and getting the car into gear.  I am revisiting what it took to have patience with a teenage driver again.  I realize that you truly never get to escape these responsibilities.  However, there are days that I think I’m just getting too old for these “E Ticket” rides anymore.

 

 

 

A Father’s Day Gift…

Posted under Daughters, How I See It

I wrote this tribute to my daughters last year and thought I’d update it and reprint most of it.  Being a father is a very important gift and I think it’s important that we remember why we became parents.  I hope you enjoy it.

It’s Been My Privilege… 

I have the honor and the privilege to be the father and step-father to three beautiful daughters.  They are constant reminders of why I was put on this earth.  Not only are they the loves of my life, they are regular fodder for many things I have written
throughout the years.

A long time ago, I discovered that being a father isn’t an obligation or a right.  It wasn’t something men were supposed to do just because previous generations had.  I found out that it is a privilege, a gift to us and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly, EVER.  

As holidays go, I love that third Sunday in June.  Father’s Day is my time to celebrate the fact that I am a dad.  It was a chance for me to look back at their lives and see what I was given to mold, teach, and raise to the best of my ability.  In return, they have taught me so much, such as patience and how to view the world from their eyes.

My daughters are 22, 18, and 17 respectively.  All have grown up to be beautiful young women that would make any father proud.  All three continue to strive to be the best that they can and really, what father could ask for anything more.

Now don’t get me wrong, these three are not angels.  They have their moments.  I’ve
spent many nights waiting up for the missed curfews.  There have been dramas galore with school, girlfriends, and boyfriends.  I’ve had to mediate arguments between daughters and the other parent or step parent.  However, nothing that couldn’t be resolved with a little love and patience.  

I have a saying that I tell my daughters frequently, “I may not like you at the moment, but I will ALWAYS love you.”  All three know that I will move heaven and earth for them. 

So all you fathers out there, as you await a breakfast of cold cereal or burnt eggs served by your kids, remember you have been given a privilege. 

Happy Father’s Day…

 

One Down, Two to Go…

Posted under Daughters, How I See It

After four years of homework, class juggling, boyfriend drama, moving into a dorm, out of a dorm, into school housing, out of school housing, and two different apartments, her mother and myself finally have a college graduate.

Yep, my oldest just graduated from a Southern California school this weekend.  Of course, her mother and I are very proud of the accomplishments she has been able to do while in school.  She and about 1,000 of her closest classmates all walked the aisle to get their diplomas.  A really neat sight to see as they cheered not only themselves but their fellow graduates on Sunday.  The only thing that ran through my head was, ”Damn, all these recent graduates will be my competition for a job, crap! 

She majored in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing.  She worked at the school paper and was even offered the position of Editor.  She turned it down only because she wasn’t a Journalism major and wanted someone else who was to have the position.  She is currently working at a P.R. firm as an intern and will probably be offered a full time job after the summer.  Thank god, now maybe she could start supporting her dad…Nah, probably won’t happen.

With my oldest out, my middle child starting college in September and my youngest starting her senior year in high school, we should be done with kids in college in about 5 years.  I don’t know what I will do without all that drama that comes with college, the moving, the boyfriends, the stress of finals, etc. 

 

Half Century…Really?

Posted under Daughters, Family, How I See It, Wife

I know, many of you will look at the photos at the top of the blog and say, “There is no way Mike is turning 50 tomorrow.” and then there are a few of you, (I’m talking to you Matt) who will say, “Oh dear god, he’s not looking too good.”

Either way, being a half century has been a hell of a ride, so far.  I count my blessings every day for what I have.  A beautiful wife who puts up with my ever changing “get rich” plans.  Three gorgeous daughters who light up my life every day, even those days where I am pulling out what’s left of my hair.

Yeah, I’ve had my share of ups and downs.  A divorce, losing my dad way too soon, unemployment, a house with a couple of cats.  Nothing that most of you haven’t had to deal with in your own lives.

I’ve had a great time writing this blog.  It has given me an outlet to express my joy, pain, frustration, elation and my creativity.  I have made some great friends  that I hope to see in person some day.

So, as you enjoy this Memorial Day holiday, first please remember the reason why we celebrate it, those who have given their lives to protect our freedoms.  And second, raise a beer to the guy you’ve shared stories with for the last couple of years and know that he is at that half century mark.

….and still counting. 

      

Mother’s Day, Again…?

Posted under Daughters, Ex's, Family, How I See It, Wife

Actually, this post has been long overlooked by me.  I was doing a quick search for Mothers on my site and did not find a post concerning the day we all need to be celebrating.  As a father who blogs, (not nearly enough!) I have a great appreciation for the other sex and their contributions to raising our children.

I’ve had the opportunity to have several mother’s in my life.  Obviously my own mother, who raised a couple of sons without much training considering she was an only child.  I maybe biased, but she did a pretty good job of getting my brother and I into adulthood. 

I have also married a couple of women (not at the same time, that’d be wrong…) who have been great mothers.  My first wife, with whom I had the great pleasure of raising two beautiful daughters.  And my current wife who with her own daughter has made for an interesting “female heavy” household.   

So, let me join the chorus that all men need to be shouting.  Thank you ladies for being the mother’s that many of us dad’s would be lost without.

Happy Mother’s Day….