June 14, 2006

thinking about my father

Yesterday my father called me at the office. I had mailed him my Pentecost sermon thinking that he might find it interesting. Daddy doesn't really go to church anymore, but he's a good father and tries to take interest in what his insane children are doing.

Our conversation went something like this:

"Hey, boy. How are ya?"
"Good, Daddy. What's up?"
"I received your sermon in the mail. I'm calling to tell you that it's really good. You have clearly found your niche."
"Wow. Thanks."
"I'm serious. The tone and pacing of the sermon was good. And I am sure you will improve even more and become an excellent preacher."
At this point I am on the verge of tears. Affirmation from Dad! Huzzah. But then that wicked Hudgins wit surfaces. Woe!
"I just have one small complaint."
"Yes, sir?"
"You are a human being."
"Sir?"
"Boy, a standing rib roast is 'done.' You are a human being. You can be finished, but you are never 'done.'"
"Yes, sir."
"Remember what your daddy says. You are a human being and not a standing rib roast."
"Yes, sir. I am not a standing rib roast."
"That's my son. Now let me tell you about the baseball game last night..."
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. This is our relationship in a nutshell. I laughed a good long while after we were done.

Posted by tripp at June 14, 2006 12:53 PM
Comments

Your dad rocks.

Posted by: Jane at June 14, 2006 01:48 PM

I'm with your Dad. I also feel the same way about "fine." As has been said before, hair and sand can be fine. People cannot be fine.

Posted by: micah at June 14, 2006 02:01 PM

I find myself wondering how your dad feels about his wisdom being posted on your blog.

Posted by: Jeffrey at June 14, 2006 04:50 PM

I have to respectfully disagree with Daddy. After three years of cooking in the fires of seminary, I was definitely done!

BTW ... gotta love the stogey.

Posted by: Reverend Ref at June 14, 2006 10:45 PM

you call your dad sir?
that explains a lot about your relationship right there.
there. i'm done.

Posted by: sarah at June 14, 2006 11:20 PM

I call my father sir...and lots of other things that shall not be posted here. Heh. But, yes, sir is a perfectly good thing to call one's father. I use sir and ma'am all the time and not just in reference to my father. I have, I believe, even called you ma'am upon occasion.

I hope my children will call me sir from time to time.

Posted by: Tripp at June 15, 2006 08:03 AM

Sir and Ma'am. I grew up with having to say thos respectful terms. It's good ol' fashioned manners is what that is. And, in my experience, good, southern hospitality. I would love to hear my nieces and nephews be polite like that!

Have a great weekend.

Posted by: Nancy at June 16, 2006 08:00 PM