telling people how i feel...

i was at dinner tonight with my husband when a little girl and her (i presume) dad sat down. the girl was absolutely thrilled to be out with her dad and it reminded me of eating out with my dad. i look back and the times we hung out together stand out the most... like the time he bought scalped tickets to a baseball game. we happened to be near the stadium and he asked if i wanted to go to the game. it was raining, and the game was already a few innings in, but we went anyhow. we ended up sitting behind home plate and drew carey was in a suite above us. at some point, drew carey started signing stuff and throwing it down onto the seats below. my mom was pissed as hell when we got home because we had some sort of family thing we all were supposed to do.

another time, i was about 18-19 and in puerto rico with my family. my mom and sister were chilling on the beach, so my dad suggested we walk around town. my dad suggested we stop at a bar and grab a drink. we found this little upstairs patio/bar and my dad ordered a round of drinks. one round turned into several and we ended up hanging out at the bar for several hours. it was pretty cool to get drunk with my dad and chat with the waiters. again, my mom was pissed when my dad and i returned cause we were both rather unsober.

then there are things my dad has taught me, llike how to fix my car and do basic home repairs. or to think for myself and stand up for what i believe in. and to not get caught up in the petty bullshit my family likes to engage in.

i want to tell him what an impact he has had on me. but it feels weird. i know i would tell anyone else posting something similar to just send this post, but i don't think i could. i am generally detached and removed from my family. i don't know how to tell them i appreciate them

 

Go call him and tell him (well not now as its somewhat late for Ohio). Make sure to spend some more time with him next time you are back too.

 

Some people don't deal well with the direct angle though. I tried something similar with my little brother at his wedding, and he just seemed wierded out. It never hurts to tell, but don't necessarily expect much in return. Or, perhaps expect a lot-- I don't know your dad, and perhaps he's all about plain, direct talk. Considering your style, it wouldn't surprise me

 

i'm the same way with my parents (and most people for that matter). it's really difficult to let your guard down when you've trained yourself to keep it up.

i agree with vgoraz to spend more time with him when you're there and maybe do something nice for him. even if you can't tell him directly how much he means to you, i'm sure he would appreciate the effort.

 

You should tell him how you feel im sure he would be treally happy to hear it.

 

@dave, my dad and i are very alike. he is not very open, so it is really weird for me to tell him something like this. altho i am sure my mom would be ecstatic. she is always telling me to talk to my dad more. but he has always been a tell it like it is sort of person.

@spork, i think you and i are alike in keeping up a front. i find it really off putting to show anything other than indifference around people. admitting to people that i have feelings is kinda scary.

@vgoraz and crimsonjunk, i am sure he would be happy but i haven't a clue how to say it. i guess maybe chatting with him one on one when my parents are here next month would be wise