Bubble Bursting

Dads are good for lots of stuff. When you are little, they can lift you up to reach for things you couldn’t manage on your own. They can help with homework (especially the really awful math stuff) and teach you more than you probably ever wanted to know about tools, sports, cars, computers and anything else they think they are the resident expert on. My education seemed to center around sales techniques, New Age philosophies, the benefits of broccoli, the brilliance of the Tupperware orange peeler, and the endless talent and virtues of the Ohio State Marching Band.

Still, for all the stuff that seemed “weird” or more often than not “so unfair” about my upbringing, there are still any number of things that send me running to my father to be my sounding board and voice of reason. He is the first and only call I make when it’s time for me to deal with my car lease. Having been in the car business for years, I see no reason not to rely on him for help. And by help, I mean doing it all for me. It amazes me how much my IQ drops as soon as I set foot in a car dealership. I realize that one day I will have to figure this out for myself, but I’m not in any hurry.

Today I talked with him about a house. I found a floor plan that I am absolutely in love with. Again, his experience in the business makes him my first call regarding questions. Today he had to burst my new home bubble with some hard realities. I hate it when that happens. Still, I would rather hear all of the risks from someone who cares rather than all the benefits from someone who cares about their commission. So, this latest plan may be out of my reach for the moment, but I am ok with that for now.

One interesting thing about growing up is that the relationship with your parents grows up too. Now instead of it being a one way street with me running to him with questions or asking for advice, he also comes to me for some of the same. Dad is a dreamer. He has an incredible imagination and a very healthy entrepreneurial spirit. It’s very easy to get caught up in his enthusiasm. Sometimes he has made his dreams a reality and sometimes not. Over the years I have found myself in a role reversal situation where I am the one that feels like I am bursting his bubble with the hard reality questions. It’s an odd feeling and a fine balance. I never want to discourage him or seem unsupportive, but sometimes I just don’t see the big picture the same way he does. Still, he always seems appreciative of the conversation even if we just end up agreeing to disagree on the merits of his latest plan.

So, I may never go to a car dealership alone and I may never understand anything but the simplest math. What I do know is that no matter what he is still there lifting me in his own way to reach for the things I need. Thanks, Dad.