6.15.2013

Dad-isms

As individual as fingerprints, the words and gestures people use make up part of their portrait.  People don't often realize what phrases they are known by family and friends to say regularly.  To hear  that one's words are memorable can be a treat.  My siblings and I compiled a list of our Dad's "Dad-isms" last year for Father's Day and below is a small sampling.  Even if you don't know my Dad, you can glean a little idea of what kind of person he is just by these few sentences, which he often delivers with his teasing half-smile.

     Who's gonna have fun, gonna have fun, gonna have fun?  We're gonna have fun, gonna have 
     fun, gonna have fun!  Who's gonna have fun?  We're gonna have fun!  Alright!

     It's not what you know, it's not who you know, it's who your Dad knows.

     Nothing is too good for us Burnses.

     What's the worst thing that could happen?

     It is always good to refresh your wardrobe.

     How about writing a pro and con list to help you make a decision?

     Everyone needs something to believe in, I believe I'll have another beer.

     I think we should go to bed so these nice people can leave.


     Let me give you a round [gesturing] of applause.

     You are going to grow up to be a genius.

Happy Father's Day Weekend and a special shout-out to my very own Dad, aka The Fun Master.  And for every father, I wanted to share this poem to take you back to that time when you were dreaming of meeting your child.  It's a good one.


Upon Seeing an Ultrasound Photo of an Unborn Child
Tadpole, it's not time yet to nag you about college (though I have some thoughts on that), baseball (ditto), or abstract principles. Enjoy your delicious, soupy womb-warmth, do some rolls and saults (it'll be too crowded soon), delight in your early dreams — which no one will attempt to analyze. For now: may your toes blossom, your fingers lengthen, your sexual organs grow (too soon to tell which yet) sensitive, your teeth form their buds in their forming jawbone, your already booming heart expand (literally now, metaphorically later); O your spine, eyebrows, nape, knees, fibulae, lungs, lips... But your soul, dear child: I don't see it here, when does that come in, whence? Perhaps God, and your mother, and even I — we'll all contribute and you'll learn yourself to coax it from wherever: your soul, which holds your bones together and lets you live on earth. — Fingerling, sidecar, nubbin, I'm waiting, it's me, Dad, I'm out here. You already know where Mom is. I'll see you more directly upon arrival. You'll recognize me — I'll be the tall-seeming, delighted blond guy, and I'll have your nose.
    ~Thomas Lux

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