Thank Goodness, a quarter in my pocket. Enough for a handful of Peanut M&M's to go with my cup of coffee. Fuel to get me through this long evening class, this long day.
I drop the quarter in, push it down, turn the knob. Out come my M&M's, all over the tile floor. They bounce around like ball bearings. There I stand in front of the library, next to the student rec center, by the registration offices, feeling like an idiot.
Who says we don't care what other people think. As I pick them up I feel obligated to clearly toss them all in the trash can. If I was home I might just wash them off.
Maybe it is worth it; my kids will love this image of Dad the dumb fool. And I will enjoy telling it. That is part of my Dad job, to do things that make them smile. I am so good at it they do not even know half of them dumb things I do are just for their entertainment, because I know how much fun they will have laughing at them.
Last week Amy and I were launching milkweed seeds into the river; I ran downstream to see if I could snatch a few out. Cowboy boots and a mossy river bank are surefire ingredients for Dad ending up in the river. Oh what fun she had with that. I know that when she tells me how stupid I am it is with the sincerest affection. ('You are soooo stupid Dad'.)
Their fun even extends to my dog. Poor old Bud has to endure being all prettied up with pink ribbons in his hair, had to wear a superdog cape, and has to endure so much girl hugs and lovey talk that he comes running to me for protection. Sometimes he musters up a half-hearted snarl as a message that he would like to be left alone. I know that feeling. After 9 hours at work, and another 3 at a computer class, I finally get to set down and have a snack and read the paper. Alyssa sits 3 feet away and just stares at me.
She calls for her Mom's dog to 'come get Dad.' Cody comes running; ready and willing. His life pleasure is chewing on my arms.
Ohhhh the price of being a Dad. How did I get so lucky?