When Dad is no Longer Superman
Most of us grow up thinking our dad is Superman. We run around the playground saying, "My dad is tougher than your dad!" No matter what, our dad is the best. Our dad can do no wrong. Our dad is the coolest. Our dad can throw a football better than anyone. You get the picture.
As we grow up, we come to realize--intellectually, at least--that our dad is human. He is a normal guy. This is largely intellectual, though. We still look up to our dad. It is no longer for his physical prowess as much as it for his wisdom. We seek advice from our dad about women. When we have children, we look to dad for our advice on child rearing.
I have noticed that my dad, an octogenarian, is even losing some of that. My dad is getting more easily confused. It is sad. My dad is no longer Superman, but I love him more than ever.
1 comment:
Erma Bombeck once said (paraphrasing here) that she knew when the roles shifted between her and her mother. It was when she had to brake hard to avoid an accident and she put her arm out to protect her mom, instead of her mom doing it for her.
Enjoy the times with your dad. Mine is still mostly mentally sound, but his vision is shot. It's tough, but we still get along as well as an 83 year old and 40 year old can.
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