I Love Being My Father’s Daughter… (Curiosity Never Gets Old)

Curiosity Never Gets Old

I love being my fathers daughter. I have had the opportunity to “vacation” with him over the past few days and as strong as his personality is, I am in a place where I can key in on what his gifts are and disengage from what may have unraveled me in the past. I am being selective with what I allow in my soul and I am realizing that I can do this with any relationship. We all have character traits that are uncomfortable to some degree and it is our choice on what we take on and what we choose to let pass. I listen to him describe ways that he wishes were different about his partner, offering suggestions of how to “fix” her. My father is human, complete with beautiful (sometimes beautiful, I am human too) flaws. I don’t know if I ever realized this as a child as I found the desire to sensationalize him. As I continue to grow up, I am easier on this impossible expectation. He, like we are all capable of, is pointing rather than owning. I sit back and observe. Complaining and wishing that someone you love would behave differently doesn’t make for a better relationship. I stay out of the rampage he is sounding off my sister who is in the passenger seat as he drives. I have participated too many times in this conversation and I am grateful that my sister is offering an ear that he can vent to. And, as an observer, while he tries to make sense of his pain that he’d argue was not pain, I try to find my own lesson. I am distracted by what my initial reflection began as and let it ride as a result of the therapy session happening in front of me glad to be in the second row.

We are on our way to the beach and I make an emotional return to why I love being my father’s daughter. I hope my peace can stay and trickle. I think what I love most is his boyish curiosity and playfulness. He is always finding the wonder in things. His quest to know keeps his joy alive and I believe he has passed that gift on to his children and his grand children alike. I love being filled with wonder and the desire to receive answers. The passion to live life as fully as possible. As we walk down to the beach we have an interactive inquisition regarding the purpose of markers that line the water. We take turns venturing guesses and entertain ourselves with with their possibilities. We appear to let it go as we walk in separate directions. Just a short time later I realize that this is one of those questions (unlike a religious or political debacle) that can actually be answered. Apparently my dad realizes that also. We “coincidentally” approach the lifeguard stand simultaneously coming from different directions. We are seeking and ultimately receiving an answer about what purpose the markers serve and that innate curiosity is satisfied. Enthusiastically, we ask, listen and learn. Later on I observe his expressive awe at the formation of birds flying by, the setting sun and a handful of other natural phenomenons.

Awe and appreciation. Thanks dad.