Things I tell my children
The Way I See It
By Chris Millspaugh
When you have five children, as I do, you
pride yourself with the guidance you have bestowed upon them over the years,
knowing that without your strict attention, they all might have gone horribly
awry. I have two fine boys and three fine girls of all ages, each with different
careers and interests, and all with their own particular approach to life. I
beam as I see them grow and mature into productive, talented useful human beings
under my sagacious tutelage.
Like yesterday when I told my boys, "Boys,
always finish what you have started." Without another word, they dutifully
heeded my teachings and finished the Absolute Vodka bottle in the freezer, a
half bottle of Captain Morgan, some red wine, a pizza and the rest of the Valium
and Prozac in a matter of an hour and a half. Good boys, however.
Then, I thought, "Perhaps I’m setting the
pole too high" and advised them to aim low, stay well rested and to always know
they could always quit. Both nodded their approval and the lessons continued:
"Now, boys," I droned, "there will come a
time in your life when you’re up against it and don’t know what direction to
take. What are you going to do?" "Run from the problem, Dad?" they queried in
sync. "No!" said I impatiently. "You must face your demons head on!" "We don’t
have insurance," they intoned. "We can’t do head-ons."
"Damn fine point." I admitted. "Why don’t
you go away, now."
As I watched them scurry away, laughing
and frolicking, I said to myself, "Hey, Mr. Heavy, go easy. After all, they’re
only in their late thirties."
My girls came by the next day, each one as
beautiful as the next. The fight started in earnest at the ten-minute mark and
the police were called upon soon after by a bevy of concerned tourists who had
misunderstood the girls brand of horseplay. I met with the cops outside my home
and assured them I could handle the situation because after all, I WAS their
father. "Come on, girls, we’re going out on the town and all have fun together
as a family!"
Later that very night, as I was blotting
my fresh tattoo, I thought it my duty to impart some more wisdom so as to save
the night and dub it immortal. "Girls," I said, "What are your intentions? Tell
me your dreams, your hopes, your goals, girls, for it’s better to plan now than
to wake up one day drowning in a sea of lost aspirations!"
"Someone get him a cocktail!" said the
middle daughter.
"Never mind that, take the bong away!"
said baby daughter.
"He’s starting!" said the eldest.
The next day, I thought it best if we all
got together, had dinner and shared our thought with one another without the
influence of any stimulants. "Table for six," I implored the swarmy maitre d’ at
the posh restaurant downtown. "It will be about twenty minutes, why don’t you
all have a cocktail at the bar," he suggested.
The police arrived just before our table
was announced and I never did get to try that scampi. We were escorted by the
firemen to the squad cars, booked and bailed out in an hour. It was the first
thing we had all done together in our lives. A bond was struck that night. About
a $50,000 bond to be exact, but so what? We were a family and we had finally
jelled. We had a round of Jell-O shots, hugged each other and vowed we’d meet
again next year.
Talk to your children. I do. Nice talking
to you.