Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Go shawty, it's your birfday


Dear Dad


Happy 65th birthday today. You don't look a day older than the first time I saw you forty years ago. I remember that moment quite distinctly. I was testing my amazing lung capacity when I saw the nun who delivered me, but when you held me in your arms for the very first time and I saw that tear run down your cheek in slow motion I knew we'd be alright.


You were the one who taught me the wonder of great Afrikaans poetry at the tender age of seven when you recited Vergewe en vergeet (forgive and forget) by Totius from a collection of poems with yellow, tired pages. My friends were busy with reading four word sentences while I was being introduced to a world of literature that still amazes me to this day. Thanks to you I had bragging rights since I was a natural blond.


I would like to thank you for building a pool at our old house. Two of my best childhood memories were made in that pool and no, you perverts, I was an innocent child back then who's main concern was staying up to watch Rescue 911.

The one memory involved a boy (don't look so shocked) three years older than me. Our parents were friends and would visit each other every weekend. When you are 12 and a boy is 15, he is a god. Usually when boys go to high school they start thinking that themselves, but not this one. We'd go swimming in our pool on a Sunday evening with the stars being our only light and he'd talk to me like my opinion actually mattered. Love is hard, okay, and puppy love even more so. I always punched him (you hurt the ones you love) and the one time I even winded him. He tried to brush it off, but I think he was just trying to be macho and maintain the godly-composure. He was my first love and I would always remember the way he made me feel. If it wasn't for that pool, Dad, I would never have had those incredible moments with that boy.

Thank you for always singing so loud in church that even the deaf lady three rows in front of us turned her head. This taught me that you should do what you love no matter what other people might think of it. And thank you for supporting me when I went to varsity and studied literature when everyone else played judge Judy; thank you for paying everything off so I could start my life debt free. I have never taken you working from 5am to 10pm for granted when I see how my friends struggle. That is the greatest gift you have ever given me.

Thank you for always giving my brother a crack when he teased me and said I was adopted. If there were another person with a temper like ours walking around, the world would be a dangerous place, you proclaimed. We don't have tempers, Dad, we just know what we want.

And now, on your 65th birthday, you should look back upon your life with a smile because you've been doing pretty good so far. I hope the next 65 will exceed all your expectations and that we'd be there to share every step with you. Besides, you need some kind of chaos in your life to keep things interesting, right?

Your grateful and loving daughter.


28 comments:

Eric said...

Let's hear it for your dad for raising such a nice young lady.

Chris Gooch said...

How offspring turn out is usually a decent reflection on what their parents are like - so your father must be a pretty amazing guy.

Dan said...

I hope you show him that Ms Truth. That was some lovely writing there. Sounds like you have some great memories going on.

When I was at school, I always had a gang of three girls regularly beat me up. Did that mean they all fancied me? The things you learn?

Wishing you and your dad a very special day.

Jenno said...

Awww, you made me all misty-eyed and I wasn't even there! What a beautiful birthday message from (and I'm sure it's true) the world's sweetest daughter to the world's greatest dad.

Okay... all together now...

Awwwwww *sniffle*

tennysoneehemingway said...

yeah. great post.

Ed said...

How sweet. Happy Birthday to your Pops!

Judearoo said...

That is lovely indeed.

Such an important thing to appreciate people we love when they're still around to hear it. About 2 years ago my Dad was in a horrific car accident which he barely pulled though. Two years and many many long and painful surgeries later and he's walking my sister up the aisle, proud as punch.

I of course made an utter arse of myself and cried, and was equally happy when he teased me and tugged my hair for being a softie.

Am so lucky to get a second chance.

Alyson said...

That was beautiful, LT.

Happy Birthday to, obviously, a great dad.

erin said...

Beautiful! I love my daddy tons too.
happy birthday dude!

Laura said...

LadyTruth, this was a fantastic, sweet post. Why can't I be nice like you? It was funny and poignant. My favorite line was Thank you for always singing so loud in church that even the deaf lady three rows in front of us turned her head.

Ugh, I need more time in the day so that I can visit you more often lovely lady!

ladytruth said...

Eric: obviously our parents attended the same classes in the how-to-raise-kids-department then ;)

mysterg: if that is true then your parents must've been pretty good and funny writers somewhere in their lives

Dan: the harder the punch, the more the girl liked you. Now you can pass that on to your children someday and educate them in the weird and wonderful ways of courting :)

La Jenno: don't be fooled too much; we still have our yelling-feasts happening, but there are more hugs-and-kisses-feasts going on since his attack a few years ago.

Tennyson: some day your future daughter will be writing a similar one, I'm sure. Still holding thumbs for you and LadyHem :)

Ed: I'll be sure to tell him that!

Judearoo: no matter how old you are, you'll always be Daddy's little girl, right? :)

OWO: I know we can't exactly trade Super Daddy-stories, but obviously you turned out pretty bloody amazing. And I know your daughter will write something quite spectacular for you on your 65th birthday and I'd be all jealous and writing a mean comment on that post and we'd be like two old fighting ladies in a walking frame battle. Something to look forward to ;)

erin: he still calls me 'darling' to this day and being Afrikaans you can only imagine the accent that goes with it. But just because he's Dad, he's allowed to and beware the schmuck making fun of it. Fist in the face is what they'll get!

Lola: being nice takes years to perfect. It's very dangerous too since it involves people vomiting and staring daggers into your back. And yes for dropping by more often; I'll be sure to extend visiting hours to fit your schedule ;)

Alyson said...

Aw! How did you know that even though I was all "how sweet, what a great dad" I was also all "fuck man, my dad sucks ass. Lucky!" ;)

Thanks chick. I think you're pretty amazing yourself.

Mr. Condescending said...

aw, as a kid without ever having a dad, I'd like to jealously call you a jerk, but instead I thought you are awesome and so is your dad!

Missy said...

how sweet!

That 100 followers blog giveaway started this morning, thought you might like to know.

http://left-field-missy.blogspot.com/2009/09/and-what-do-we-have-here.html

ladytruth said...

OWO: so what you're actually saying is that I should've become a fortune teller? I'm considering a career change then ;)

Mr C: the most interesting, successful and talented people I know grew up either without one parent or with a bad childhood memories. I'm just the freak that tries to fit in with all you 'cool' kids ;)

Missy: this is me type, type, typing as fast as I can to haul ass over to your blog!

Anonymous said...

OMG, that was a very heartfelt message! And quite funny, too!^^ Your dad must be so proud of having a sweet, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter like you..^^

ladytruth said...

Sashindoubutsu: my dad needs to be reminded of that ever so often though ;)

Unknown said...

Very sweet! Sounds like a great guy. Love that he sang loudly in church and made heads turn.

Farnnay said...

Awww Happy Birthday to your dad :) What did you get him!?

ladytruth said...

Jeve: the best thing about it is that he doesn't even notice it!

Constructive A: I got him a Blue Bulls medal; it's a local rugby team he supports and adores. He has a huge collection of Blue Bulls memorabilia already and we add as much as we can when we can :)

Andrea said...

Love is in the air.
I wonder if he read this? I'm asking because I would be able to write such a heart felt letter to a blood relative only if I knew he/she would never read it. Sounds weird saying it outloud. lol

Surge said...

Hmm, I love the letter but it saddens me seeing the elder get older. Probably just the relationship between my dad and I (You don't have to reply to this comment, i's just sayin lol)

ladytruth said...

AlpHa B: I know exactly what you mean and no, he didn't read this ;)

Surge: I agree; no comment on the last part then :)

Meg said...

This gave me a warm fuzzy. I'm visiting with my dad now and am glad you reminded me how great dads are.

ladytruth said...

OSG: we should appreciate them while their still here to visit with :)

JennyMac said...

This is so awesome. Happy belated to your Dad. I hope he read your loving words.

Maryx said...

I also don't have a dad... yours sound awesome. Thanks for sharing. *Sniffle*

ladytruth said...

JennyMac: I will be sure to send your birthday wishes his way; it'll be like a late present and who doesn't love presents after their birthday? :)

Mega: I'm sorry to hear that; if you want, we can share. I don't mind :)