do you really mean that?

I sell cars.  I meet people. 

I met a dad, today, that made me sad for his daughter. 

I didn't really have what they were looking for, so my time with them was brief.  The dad was helping his 18, or so, year-old daughter look for a used Jeep.  He told me he had a decent used Jeep that he wanted to give her, but it "wasn't good enough for her".  She proceeded to rapid-fire questions at me such as, "How much is that one?  How many miles on this one?", all the while insulting every used Jeep I had on the lot, for one reason or another.  To put it kindly, her personality was NOT very likable.

But, as they were leaving and the daughter was comfortably out of ear-shot, the dad turned to me and said, "Kids.  I wish I would've never had 'em.  I've got two kids and two dogs.  I wish I had four dogs."

I was speechless.

He walked toward his truck and left.

Wow.

I spent about ten minutes with the guy and he leaves me with that?  Where did that come from?  Do you really mean that?

I have no idea what life factors caused him to feel that way, and even though I didn't really like the daughter, I was very saddened by his comment.

Hey, Anonymous Dad on the Car Lot:  Your daughter deserves better than that!

Daddy's home!

It's been a while since I've been enthusiastically greeted at the door by any of my family members.  It used to happen when my older kids were younger, but at their current ages, they are usually involved in something when I walk in, and I'm lucky to get a "Hi, Dad".  I know they love me, but I miss the days of toddlers running to meet me with arms outstretched.

But, it happened again the other day... and I almost missed it. 

My work schedule is goofy.  Even though I am home every day, sometimes I don't see my kids for a day and a half.  I usually work 8:30am-9:00pm Monday and Thursday, 8:30am-6:00pm Tuesday and Friday, and 9:00am-4:00pm on Saturday.  Being summertime, I usually leave the house before the kids are up, and on Monday and Thursday I often get home after they are in bed. 

Benny is a 22 month-old toddler and a big-time Momma's boy.  He's also a delayed talker.  He has a few words.  He knows a few signs.  But, the language puzzle isn't fitting together quite as quickly for him as it does a "typical" child his age.

That being said, I came home Tuesday evening, after not seeing him for a day and a half, and he toddled to me with a smile on his face.  I picked him up and he pressed his head against my shoulder and patted my other shoulder with his little toddler hand.  After a short while, he wriggled free and, in typical Benny fashion, went off to get into something he shouldn't.  I enjoyed the affection, but with my mind on what I needed to do that evening, I started to head off to change my clothes.  My wife, being more in tune with Benny than I, stopped me in my tracks with the words, "In case you missed it, that was 'Daddy's home!' in Benny language". 

Gosh, I did almost miss it!  I'm glad she interpreted for me.  I'll be sure to "listen" more carefully in the future!

Lily, on quiet

Jen:  "You all are going to bed early tonight."

Dylan:  "Why do we have to go to bed... it isn't even dark yet?"

Lily:  "...'cause Mom wanna piece a quiet!"