Just in case you missed the last thirty posts, today is Beth’s thirteenth birthday. The title of these posts were supposed to hint at a pinch of mock doom and gloom, as our girl passes from childhood into her teen years, but in some respects I feel like Beth’s been a teenager for years. Inheriting the sarcasm and smart-ass genes from her father created a teen-like aura at an early age. But I know better by now to assume I understand what the future will bring, so I do the only thing I can. I love my kid, and keep [...]
Beth
D – 3 (Tween time)
Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Aug 20, 2006, Beth’s age: 9 I am stuck in that moment between getting home late and the time when you feel like going to bed. We decided to go to a Devil Rays away game this evening, and we’re just getting back. They were at Tropicana Field, where they occasionally play home games, so we didn’t have to travel too far. Tonight’s benefactor of the ice cold Rays’ bats were the Indians from Cleveland; and there were a lot of Indians from [...]
D – 4 (Beth versus the psychiatrist)
Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Jun 8, 2006, Beth’s age: 8 “Can I call you Miss Rachael?” “No, but you can call me Dr. Rachael if you want.” “Wait, are you a real doctor?” “Yes Beth, I’m a real doctor.” “Did you go to college?” “Yes Beth, I went to college.” “Did you go to college AND medical school?” “Yes Beth, I went to medical school.” “O.K., you went to college and medical school… so why don’t you do the things a REAL doctor does?” This is where [...]
D – 5 (The dust settles on another school year)
Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: May 18, 2006, Beth’s age: 8 Let me say that most of the folks we’ve dealt with at my daughter’s school have been wonderful. They’ve been kind, patient, understanding, and caring. All the same, next year my daughter will be going to a different school. Why is she going to a different school? It’s a long story, one I don’t have the energy or inclination to tell right now… but here’s the abbreviated/censored version: Beth’s third grade teacher. Every one of the conditions [...]
D – 6 (Not so shallow)
Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Jan 20, 2006, Beth’s age: 8 Beth and I were leaving Tae Kwon Do and I heard the sound of sudden submersion behind me. I looked back and saw Beth up to her shins in water. (Defensively) “Dad, I stepped in a puddle by accident!” (Angrily) “Beth, that’s the only puddle in the parking lot and you had to walk about ten feet out of your way to get to it. The only thing accidental about it is you didn’t mean to get [...]
D – 7 (Stitches)
Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Jul 10, 2005, Beth’s age: 7 (almost 8) Last week we had a little problem getting Beth ready in the morning. Gaping, bleeding wounds will do that to you. She was feeling playful and decided to hide under her bed after we asked her to get dressed. Unfortunately, she caught her leg on something sharp and we wound up in the ER rather than the rec center (for summer camp). “Dad, were you angry with me when I cut my leg?” “No Beth, [...]
D – 8 (It was a day like any other day, until I decided it wasn’t)
Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: May 10, 2005, Beth’s age: 7 I was at work and struck by the hour: noon already? On a whim I begged off early, promising to make up the time later (a line borrowed from the procrastinator’s creed). This whim eventually brought me to my daughter’s school, just as her and her like were being released for the day. She wasn’t expecting me, and didn’t notice when I fell into step behind her, stride for untroubled stride. She was carrying a large paper [...]
D – 9 (The first ride)
Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Jan 20, 2005, Beth’s age: 7 It started innocently. “Beth, I’m not sure you should ride your bike until I can tighten those training wheels, unless of course you want me to take them off?” “Alright dad, take them off.” Fifteen minutes later we were together on the sidewalk; father, daughter, and bicycle. The father was standing behind it all, grasping the seat. The daughter was astride the bike, imploring the father not to let go. The bicycle was just sitting there, oblivious [...]
