Taking after Daddy

The parking lot in front of our apartment building is quite small, with only about 15 spaces total, so it isn’t as though anyone has to walk any great distance to get from their car to their door even from the farthest spot. Even so, our fellow tenants are always seeking for the coveted center spots directly in front of the entrance to the building.

…Everyone, that is, except me. I take after my dad ― my idea of making life easier requires meticulous attention to detail, so when I pull in to the lot after a trip to the grocery store, I am already thinking ahead. My preferred parking spot changes based on an elaborate, predetermined calculation involving my next time of departure in accordance with the changing location of optimal shade, factoring in variables such as weather. I take care to back in to the spot, too, so that I may leave more easily when the time comes. After all, why sacrifice the future pleasure of leaving in a well-ordered, cool car just to enjoy the fleeting ― and negligible ― pleasure of parking a few feet closer to the door?

My dad’s influence on me can be seen in so many obvious ways ― the way I bite my fingernails when I’m thinking, the way I lick my dessert bowl clean, the way I look for name tags in order to address bank tellers & grocery clerks with a smile and by name, the way I tend to wix up my mords (whether intentionally or not), and the way I always know exactly how much chocolate is in the house at any given time (and exactly which desserts can be made with it).

Dad’s influence also appears in ways that are both less apparent to the outside observer, and more significant to my character. Because of my father, I approach new tasks with confidence rather than trepidation, eager for adventure. Because of my father, I (usually) look at setbacks more as opportunities for creativity than as inconveniences ― a fact which comes in handy when my baking endeavors do not neatly align with my last shopping trip, or when I need to hang up a picture frame that doesn’t have any hanging tabs on the backside.

Aside from his already-apparent fondness for chocolate, it is a little early to say how many of these traits will ultimately manifest themselves in Edward’s personality. In the meantime, Edward most certainly does take after his own father. Joseph agrees, though we tend to focus on different traits when we think of that connection. If you ask Joseph, he will tell you about Edward’s overactive sweat glands, the ease with which he gets frustrated, and his refusal to take kindly to naps.

From my perspective, however, the story is a little different ― I get to watch as Edward tries so hard to be just like his daddy. When Joseph comes home from school, Edward follows him around the house until dinner is ready. When Joseph takes a drink of water at dinner, Edward reaches for his own glass. When Joseph works out at home, Edward tries to join in or mimics Joseph’s movements with his toys.

Several days ago, Edward & I watched Joseph as he exercised in the back yard, swinging a sledgehammer over his head toward a tire placed on the ground for the purpose of receiving his blows. Later, when Edward and I were outside alone, Edward happened upon a stick and began his own exercising in what I imagine to be an attempt to copy Dad:

It is not surprising, I think, that children try to emulate their fathers. My own father is a perfect blend of manly toughness (his handiness with tools knows no bounds) and congenial friendliness (the man is kind to telemarketers ― if that doesn’t prove his saintliness, I don’t know what does). I can call him at any time and receive help with my taxes, guidance in finding the “best of the best” deal on a car or computer, or directions home when I take a wrong turn driving. He answers any and all calls for help with patience. How could I not want to emulate him?

Joseph is also an admirable role model, though Edward’s current admiration is typically directed toward Joseph’s skills as a playmate and entertainer. In time, however, I suspect he will also appreciate Joseph’s willingness to help with any task, however difficult or unpleasant (in my conversations with other mothers in the ward, I am frequently told that Joseph’s tendency to offer to change Edward’s diapers makes him one-in-a-million ― as if I didn’t know that already), his gentleness, and his ability to instruct without criticism.

Even now, though, Edward’s admiration for his father still runs quite deep. In fact, when Joseph prepares to leave the house each morning, Edward follows him to the door ― I imagine he might try to follow Joseph all the way to class should I let him escape out the door one of these days. Perhaps that’s one indication of a wonderful father ― a dad so cool he’s worth taking after literally.