To be clear, I don’t have any personal recollection of this
story. And it likely isn’t 100% true, but I’m pretty sure this incident did, in
fact, happen.
All children have their first words. Usually Da-da is
claimed by fathers as the first, but a lot of moms speculate it’s just
repeating syllables that happen to make a word. I’m not getting into that
debate. Nobody wins there. As to my own first words...well I have no clue what they were.
What I do know, is
the story of my first words in public. I guess I only spoke around family at
first? We’ll assume so for the purposes of this story. So. My first words in
public.
We were eating at a restaurant, “we” being comprised of Mom,
Dad, Brooke and Holly (two of my sisters), and myself. Throughout the meal
Brooke and Holly were patiently coaching me to say something to a non-family
member. They worked and worked and worked at it. As far as I know, the meal
more or less progressed uneventfully.
At the end of the meal, the waitress came to our table with
the bill. This was it. This was my moment. It was my time to shine. And shine I
did.
“Charge it to Daddy!!!”
Words for a little girl to live by.
Note: I feel a couple things are worth noting. First, I
sought my own financial independence pretty quickly after graduating high
school, so I wasn’t really a Daddy’s plastic kind of girl. That being said,
through the end of his life, Dad maintained a credit card with my name linked
to his account in case I needed it. Even when I refused to carry it, he
continued to order it and keep it close by, that way if something did happen he
could have it to me by the next day.
Second, Dad was one of the best shopping partners I have
ever known. He had a great eye for what would stand out and be fashionable-but
not a fad.
Finally, keep an eye on the comments section of this post. I’m
counting on Mom to post corrections to this story. Ready, Mom? I’m testing to
see if you read through the end of my posts. Just kidding! I have no doubt you’ll
read all of this.
Of course I read it to the end. Thank you for knowing me so well :) I have no corrections. Your memory of what you have been told differs from mine - but the outcome is the same. Yes indeed you stated "charge it to Daddy" and no you weren't ever one to take advantage of his love or his generous spirit- this was your first lesson teaching you your daddy always had your back! Kisses, Mom
ReplyDeleteOh and by the way - shine you did!! You were a hit of the evening from all in the restaurant!
ReplyDelete