Brilliance Rediscovered

...who stated (I'm trying to remember the exact quote):

When I was 18 I couldn't believe how ignorant my Father was. He was so dumb it was embarrassing. But when I reached 25 he was the smartest Man I knew. It is amazing how much He learned in those 7 short years.

"I'm not young enough to know everything."
Oscar Wilde

Bottoms Up!

Yeah, I was pretty stupid when my daughter was little, and now I seem to be considered pretty wise. Funny how that works!


BTW.
I just posted a new blog essay, a consideration of "The Nature of Freedom".

I appreciate your stopping by. I've been pretty busy lately.

What a great piece...I always enjoy your family-based posts.

And btw, it really should be the goal of every dad to be an "...old fogy with outdated clothing, questionable taste in music, and incomprehensible books..." Otherwise, what would kids have to look up to?

I'm beginning to experience some of it myself. The 19-year-old thinks she's an independent adult (even though I supply transportation and subsidize lodging and tuition) and the 16-year-old is at that stage where he knows so much more than I do that it would be awe-inspiring ... if it were real.

As different as they must be, the roads we travel are so frequently similar.

Yeah, the universal human experience!

My Dad posted a sign on my little brother's door about the time he was 16. It read:

Teenagers of the world unite.
Tired of your parent's crap?
Get a job and support yourself
while you still know everthing!

My brother's response upon discovering it? Huh?!

I don't care what they think about me, just as long as I continue my perfect winning streak on the big issues!

interestingly I seem to be in a similar situation to your son, the eldest and a single parent (for three years now). Yet somehow my dad doesn't seem to be any smarter to me than he was before. Quite frankly, despite my situation, when I remember some of my dad's advice, I'm still glad I didn't take it.

Be interesting to see what happens when my kids grow up. I quite liked the answer you gave to your son, it's pretty much the same as what I came up with to tell them when the time comes. It also has to do with why I am glad I didn't take a lot of my dad's advice. Both times the yet to be ex-wife was pregnant he wanted me to try and get her to have an abortion.

In your case I would say that being true to real values in spite of your father is the best revenge.

My own father had his foibles, too. But on the things that counted, he was 100% down the straight and narrow.

Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Hello.

I would consider it a privilege if you would add my blog "The Tygrrrr Express" http://www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com to your list of linked sites if you feel the quality is high.

Happy June.

eric

P.S. I do blog on Townhall, but my primary location is Wordpress.

New essay up at the Island.

I enjoyed that alot, I see the similarities in my life as well.It was amazing as some things which at the time seemed all important now are silly fads that passed with a whimper. And the things which really mattered to my dad still do,I guess quality ideas and values stand the test of time pretty good.
off topic I am heading up to the Hoosier state next month, would love to put a face with the name and maybe tip a cold beer if you want.

New post up at Kilroy's. Hope you like it!

You are always welcome here in the Heartland, both figuratively and literally. Drop me an e-mail and I'll give you a phone number. I'm sure we can arrange something.

Hi ho Silver. . . Awaaaaaay.

I too, would agree that your perpective and wisdom is awesome. My oldest is 15. I remember also thinking my Mom knew not as much as I. But God knows, she was did.
In fact,I remember the very moment my mother became a saint.
She came to see her newest Grandchild, my first. We went to lunch, as the baby was 'such a good baby." Ordered the food, chatted, and the food arrived. As I took my firt bite, baby awoke.
My mom just smiled, kept eating and said, "Welcome to your first of many cold meals!"
Then, she took the baby and ate her own lunch cold. I have the patience to know it will come back to me ten-fold.

Yep, we start losing IQ points when they reach puberty and begin regaining them about the time they turn twenty three or four. That the nexus occurs about the time they become parents themselves is just irony of the most delicious variety. MMMmmmmmmmmm.