I'm glad I did this for Day 8 in particular

[amantium_irae]

Day 8: I'm happy to see my dad playing with my almost 10 month old baby niece (The Cheek Monster herself.) He's her little bitch and they're adorable together and who he is when he plays with her is what I want to remember about my father and not the... grownup version. I'm very grateful I got him back, even if it's just vicariously through the

Comments

[foxylovesme]

I'm happy to hear this, love. Everyone is fallible and damaged by life; it's good when we get to see the good glimpses of others and ourselves.

*hugs*

[amantium_irae]

My dad is essentially a good man and a good father and it was nice to practically get a blast from the past and remember this side of his. He's also not a very decent man and extremely selfish without even realizing it sometimes and that's also something I never want to forget for self-preservation's sake.

[bella_fox]

Love is complicated -- and sometimes familial love is the MOST complicated. I'm glad that you can see this part of your dad -- not for his sake, but for yours.

*snorgle*

[amantium_irae]

Yeah. Half of my DNA is his so I love him whether I like it or not. I'm glad he hasn't... slipped in a while and our relationship is fine now all things considered. I would NEVER be in a relationship with a man like him though and if I were my step-mom, I would have kicked him out a long time ago (well...she did once) That would be a much easier choice to make.

[iheartmunich]

It's strange how people can often relate more to their grandchildren than to their children. It's the same with my dad. We have a great relationship, don't get me wrong, he'd do anything for us, but when I was little he wasn't that fun dad who played soccer with us or cuddled. He was never really around for that stuff. But now, with my little nephew, man, he gets all mushy, talks to him in his best baby voice, and always wants to hold him. It's so great to see, and gets me all warm inside.

I'm glad you get to experience this with your dad, it's wonderful to see this emotional, pure side.

[amantium_irae]

I'm glad you get to see this side of your father too. :) Yeah, I was discussing this with a flister once that it's a total mystery how we struggle with our parents but grandparents are all love and cookies. '

when I was little he wasn't that fun dad who played soccer with us or cuddled.

Actually, my Dad was exactly like that with me and my step brother, there wasn't any difference because he wasn't his, and he loves kids in general. It was good to see that again and know it's also very real, as real as the side of him I got to know as a grownup, the side of him I'm really not fond of at all.

[papper_docka]

Dads... They can affect us like no one else, can't they. I'm glad that you are able to see both sides of yours, not only the one you resent. It feels so good when it happens. I believe no one is downright bad, it's just that some people succumb to the lowest, most selfish urges easier than the others... And as long as they bear no serious consequences for it, they continue to do so -- because it's convenient.
It's amazing how small children can bring out the decent and the genial qualities in a person. See? They are there too.

[amantium_irae]

Heh. I'm glad I didn't get to discover my daddy issues until I was old enough to restrain myself from blowing him up.

I've always known my dad is essentially a good, generous and warm man (in a way I'm not openly warm and affectionate... he makes friends with anyone instantaneously and dogs and kids adore him), but when I grew up I also realized he's a pathological liar, that he lies to cover his ass and I've always been the grownup there and he lies when he doesn't have too as well, just cause it makes everything look better. I've never dobted that his good qualities are there, I just wasn't very keen on noticing them, but I guess he hasn't been an ass in a while and The Cheek Monster really brings the best (and funniest) out of him so I'm just counting my blessings.