I do have my I-Phone with me so, if I am still getting service, I can moderate messages and retrieve a stubborn post that might get stuck in the weeds over at Blogger.
The other day my daughter brought me some pictures that I had not seen in years which she had squirreled away in various picture albums. While looking through them I was amazed at how quickly the memories came flowing back.
Not yet three months old but already occupying the center of an entire family's universe.
She knew she was not supposed to go up those stairs, hence that mischievous look.
I blame my daughter for interrupting my early writing career. It is kind of hard to write the next great American novel when SOMEBODY keeps fooling with the typewriter.
It did not make any difference where we were going, she was always excited about riding in the car. "Let's go to outer space Daddy!' "Your wish is my command" I would reply, and off we would go to whatever magical place our imaginations could take us.
We had nothing in those days. I worked a low paying job, and was constantly struggling to make ends meet, but in my memory they were the very BEST of times.
Sometimes it was just she and I together, playing in the park, watching "Mary Poppins" for the hundredth time, playing dress up while drinking imaginary tea, or simply bike riding around Anchorage together looking for trouble.
After her mother and I split up, I had a couple of short lived romantic flings. But the only relationship that I ever really put all of my energy into was the one with this gorgeous little girl.
I guess I always knew the others were going to be temporary, but that being Daddy was going to last forever. And so it has.
Beautiful! Loving children makes life worthwhile! Forever.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gryphen.
ReplyDeleteI always love to start my morning smiling and tearful.
What a cutie! They grow up too fast, before we can really savor their complete innocence. She is a little doll.
ReplyDeleteCamping, you say! Stay away from tents and wine coolers and you should be fine, have a great time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the summer. You do a lot of good work keeping the rest of us informed.
OMG-that child is cute......I had one of those too, and she is now 20, going on 35 and I would give anything to have her 3 again. Thanks for warming my heart.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave fun camping....did you pack the Bartles & James? I hear they're a must on Alaskan camping trips.
What a good dad. You know we all love when you write about your daughter. The love shines through.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful baby, you seem to have also done something right in being so supportive and there for her.
ReplyDeleteHave a great camping trip.
Awwww, your little girl was so cute!!!
ReplyDeleteYou sound like such a great dad!
My kids are teenagers and beyond now, and I still tear up when I look at their baby pictures.
I love that little button nose! Dude, your biceps were huge! I bet nobody messed with you!
ReplyDeleteAaahhh, Gryph, you did it again. I go to your blog to get the latest snark, and you make me cry. To say your daughter is adorable is an understatement. That little sweetheart at the typewriter knows so well that she won't get in trouble in the least, tough guy. She has you wrapped around her finger, exactly as it should be. I will go and give my soon to be 24 year old a big hug.
ReplyDeleteCute pictures. Speaking of which.....any word on Track and Britta's baby?
ReplyDeleteAw, wishing you a great trip; you deserve it. Funny you reminded me too of my son's favorite movie that we watched a hundred times, "Superman". He'd wear a Superman cape (part of pyjama set I bought him at Sears) everywhere; he was 3. Thanks for sharing your sweet daughter!
ReplyDeleteI have four of them - grown up adults now. For those of you with little ones, enjoy every precious moment! The memories last a lifetime, and you can/will re-live them everyday.
ReplyDeleteYou played dress up?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Dad you were.
My Dad didn't do anything like that. My Mom either. My Mom did read to us, but when the younger kids were born we were left to play amongst ourselves.
When we got older, that's when my Dad showed me how to do leather craft and use tools, my Mom showed me cooking, sewing, knitting, etc.
And there were camping trips and other vacations.
But tea and dress up? Nope.
She is a livin' doll, Gryphen!
ReplyDeleteGood job!
Awww! She is adorable! And, because you were such a good dad is the reason she turned out so well. Mine are still young and I enjoy every special moment because I know they grow so fast. Enjoy the camping trip and I'll join the others who warn about staying away from the wine coolers! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a cutie! Great pics, thanks for posting them.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Gryph, nobody cares...we just check your blog for inside info on the Palinbillies...you need to stop with the personal bullshit...this makes you no better than Palin exposing your daughter and fond, sentimental details of your life...so what, who cares?
ReplyDeleteYou have the ability to break the biggest story ever (trig), yet you are wasting your time and mine on this nonsense.
Where's the beef?
Awwww...I was never able to have kids, and prob will never know the joy of raising a child. Makes me always smile when I see proud father though..
ReplyDeleteI slowly gave up on even the idea of another relationship when I realized how much this world demands of single parents who take care of the kids (if you're going to do it right :–). I have two. My oldest has been accepted to one of the best schools in the country; my youngest is two years advanced in academics.
ReplyDeleteI often dream of finding someone who loves their kids as much as I love mine, but then I remind myself that because of who we are, we simply wouldn't have time.
I love when you post about your relationship with your daughter... your father-daughter posts always make me tear up. You are a wonderful father and you raised a wonderful daughter!
ReplyDeleteWhat a loving tribute! Enjoy your time away. You do SO much for us, you deserve the break.
ReplyDeleteThat brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteToo cute.
ReplyDeleteHow precious and sweet. Your daughter and your comments. I can feel the love in those words. A good way to start this week. Have fun Gryphen!
ReplyDeleteI love the way that some of us can counter the garbage and frustration that is Scarah Paylin with beautiful personal notes and anecdotes that have their way of creeping in there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the pics & your thoughts.
She was an adorable (and also very lucky) little girl.
Just imagine yourself as,
potentially, a Grandpa one day !!
(with all due respect/anything is possible)
SunnyVee
Anon 8:11--BE NICE. The man gets to clear his head every once in a while as he is dealing in nasty hate all the time. We all could use a little "happy" story every now and again to help us stay sane with all the BS the paylin saga spews forth every fucking day. It also helps us to know that Gryphen is mentally stable and not some wackjob with a sick agenda and that shows his work is credible.
ReplyDeleteG- This touched my heart. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos...If every child was as honored and adored as your daughter, the world would have many more healthier humans.
ReplyDeleteI find it very touching to read about a father's love of his child.
ReplyDeleteGryphen, Beautiful! I hope you have a great time.
ReplyDeleteShe is a doll and looks just like you Gryphen. She is very lucky to have such a loving and caring Dad.
ReplyDeleteShe looks like she has a proactive personality. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of you and your daughter remind me of the ad where the dad is telling a little bitty girl in the driver's seat of a car how to drive safely, and in the final shot we see that she is a grown teenager driving alone for the first time (but she will always be daddy's little baby girl). So sweet.
ReplyDeletegryphen did you stock up on wine coolers for your camping trip????
ReplyDeletelooking forward to seeing some pics of the alaska scenery from your camping trip!
@ 8:11 am...
ReplyDeletedamn and I thought I was a cynical negative person.
it's gryphen's blog, he can post whatever he wants and the best part? you don't have to fucking read it if it doesn't interest you, loser.
Thanks so much for giving us a glimpse of the man behind the blog. I don't object to this at all, not in any way exploitive nor offensive. And it made me sorry for people who don't have or don't appreciate or will never have the special bond between a Father and his child. It made me realize how much hurt Levi must feel.
ReplyDeleteI'm a married mother of three, a boy and two girls. They're almost adults now, but they'll always be kids to me. And I've seen the bond between a loving, engaged father in his girl's lives both from my Dad and my husband.
When you look at your kid's photos, it reminds you how fast time goes by.
Good Job, Gryph! Enjoy your time with her and happy camping!
That made me cry! It's bittersweet isn't it? My daugher is 4 1/2 and my heart both hurts and overflows with joy each day as I watch her grow. I wish I could slow it down. Thank you for your heartfelt post. It touched mine.
ReplyDelete