Thursday, August 12, 2010

Is it just me?

Or does this happen to you as well?



As I have said before my daughter is twenty three years old now.  But whenever I think of her, for the first few seconds anyway, she is that angelic blond haired little girl again.

I keep seeing this commercial pop up almost daily on my television screen, and I am not too embarrassed to admit that I never reach the end of it without a lump in my throat. When it comes to fathers and their daughters I am a huge marshmallow.

I have very little doubt that as the years march along, and my daughter grows to be the strong independent woman that I am already seeing her become, that she will still live in my heart as that precious four year old girl, with the bright blue eyes and golden curls, reaching up to take my hand in anticipation of our next magical adventure together. And I hope I never lose that image until the day I take my very last breath.

For those who are wondering, my daughter is still having her RV worked on and hopes to be on the road sometime today or early tomorrow.  And yes, she is on my mind constantly.

23 comments:

  1. ManxMamma11:13 AM

    That commercial always makes me think of my Dad - who I miss terribly.

    I'm glad you updated us on your daughter's progress. I've been thinking about her too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:20 AM

    I thought I was the only one!! I tear up every time it comes on. There's also the other one where the dad asks where they are going and they kids, when they go out the door - all grown up.

    ReplyDelete
  3. berndoubt11:27 AM

    My son just got his license, so this commercial made me cry.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bunny Mom11:28 AM

    I have cringed at your posts, I have laughed, but until today at this second, I have never cried. Thanks for sharing.

    Good vibes to your daughter and her RV. Mine (21) is struggling right now with a vehicle.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Same here, ManxMamma. My Dad lived to the age of 90, passing away just a few years ago. My brothers are 12 and 16 years older than me so I was one of those surprise babies born when my Dad was almost 50 and the only girl out of 32 first cousins. Every moment was precious those last few years and we enjoyed them to the fullest. That special relationship with fathers and daughters is wonderful and it gives a young girl confidence as she grows into being a woman when she has that with her father. I think it's wonderful she's coming to live with you now, Gryphen. However, don't be too hard on the guys who want to date her, they're not all bad. Hope she'll be there soon, safe & sound!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous11:35 AM

    No, itś not just you.

    It happens to me all the time. Mine are in their teens.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my yes...my son was at the local community college finishing his registration/financial aid today..On the way home I saw the kindergarteners lining up outside of his elementary school, the exact same room he was in..I swear it was just yesterday when I took him there and I cried all the way home.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous11:39 AM

    Aaahhh, Gryph! As a mother of a 23 year old, this made me cry. I sent her the link!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pat in MA11:51 AM

    No Gryph, it's not just you. My son just got his license, this is a great commercial - even he thinks so! In my minds eye I have him frozen in time in a vivid image on a beautiful New England fall day, he's wearing overalls and a green thermal shirt, running in our backyard with wild abandon and pure joy. If anyone hasn't seen it yet, HuffPo has a video montage of US troops surprising loved ones at home. Warning - break out the Kleenex. I could barely see the video after a few seconds from the tears streaming down my face.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/12/us-troops-surprising-love_n_680129.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gyph,
    No problem with the marshmellow behavior... anytime, really.

    On another note: do we get a photo essay from the sprout that turns you to mush? Like she did such a fantastic job with inserting some love in the summer of hate.

    Gyph, now get a grip and ask for some photos to post! After all it is a memory in the making.

    Again, no problem wiith the marshmellowy updates.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Irishgirl12:30 PM

    The ad made me cry. It reminds me of my admonitions to my 19 yr old son (who is currently in Australia), when I give him the car keys.

    Pat in MA, that Huffpo link completely did me in. I am now a snivelling wreck...but I did enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous12:45 PM

    I read your first comment about your daughter on 8/9, my daughters' 29th birthday. I cried, I know exactly what you were talking about. I was only 19 when I had her and boy the time has flown by.
    I feel the same way about that commercial, my Nikki is still my little "pork chop".
    I so hope your little girl gets there safely and you guys enjoy the time together.
    My dad turned 74 yesterday and he is my HERO. I absolutely worship him. He is the most loving human being on earth and what's really weird is he is a Republican. Go figure. He taught me to think for myself and treat everyone the way I want to be treated. Now I do.
    Thanks to all of you Fathers!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous12:54 PM

    not jsut you... any parent that loves a child can't help but tear up ... they grow up so darned fast...as I sit here rubbing my grandsons head because he thinks he is a cat today (awww to be 3 again) and knowing in just 2 short weeks I will take him to preschool for his first day.....where did the time go? His momma is still just a little girl!

    Gryph hang in there she will be on her way soon and what a most excellent adventure she is having! Mojo to all.....

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous1:26 PM

    I suspect it doesn't matter how old our children get, there is always a place in our hearts where they remain a certain age.

    Ours is in her thirties now, half a world away this month (China) doing research. We saw that commercial and were both in sentimental tears instantly. My husband keeps pointing it out each time it comes on as if we have never seen it - such is it's emotional power. He loves it for the same reasons you do.

    We're sending protective thoughts for your daughter's journey. May all our children's journeys be safe ones.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That commercial makes me think of my parents. I lost them within a few years of each other.

    I wish you daughter a safe trip. She is with friends and she is your daughter. Enough said. She comes from strong stock she will make it there. You may have a few gray hairs though. ;-/

    ReplyDelete
  16. johnie2xs2:55 PM

    I feel just as you do, Gryph. My daughter is now 29, working in telecommunications, designing clothing on the side, and has recently decided to go back to school to get her doctorate. Hang in there.
    That lovely little blond bundle of love will be just fine. At lest as well as my dark eyed beauty.

    Luck and Love.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You're not going to feel any differently when she's 33. Or 43. She'll always be your little popsiedoodle because she always was.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kathy in Blue Bell4:12 PM

    Frequent lurker, infrequent commenter here, love the commercial, it is very poignant for me too. I will be sending my lovely girl off to college in about two weeks. Where does the time go. Gryph love and best wishes to your "little girl" as she makes her journey. It will most likely be a terrific trip for her I know you two will have a wonderful visit.

    ReplyDelete
  19. aj weishar7:09 PM

    Thanks for the daughter comment/memory. I too have an independent adult daughter. She was a junior in high school when I bought a Mustang GT. The first time she took it out she came back and said "You have to shut off the traction control if you want to drift." (Before someone gets upset, she and her brother took driver training at Mid Ohio raceway.)

    ReplyDelete
  20. benlomond27:53 PM

    It doesn't get any easier as the years go by, got 2 girls 27 and 19 ... great commercial ! also the scene in "Father of the Bride" - where daughter tells Steve Martin she's getting married...gets me every time ! 19 yr old off on her 1st out of country trip ( escorted tours of course!) and I'm a nervous wreck !!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous7:56 PM

    This commercial will stand high in the annals of commercials for years to come, much like the "Got Milk" ads.

    No parent can get it out of their mind, it is so good, and so true.

    All I can say for this family is: One key, one Subaru Forester, a gazillion airbags and four teen-aged drivers over the years, still standing upright and breathing on their own.(Car and kids.)

    You do the math.

    God Bless.

    MicMac

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous8:27 PM

    Sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10:19 PM

    Gryph, you old softy. Now the true Gryph comes out! Have no fear, I won't "out" you. I am a father of a 45 year old daughter and I feel the same as you do.

    ReplyDelete

Don't feed the trolls!
It just goes directly to their thighs.