June 26, 2009

“Since saying ‘Dad’ doesn’t get me a response, what do you want me to call you so you’ll answer?”

We all have a lot on our mind from time to time.  On this occasion, my mind must have been on overload.  My son, Brad, was simply trying to ask me a question.  As you might expect, he did what most people do when trying to get the attention of another.

“Dad,” he said.  No response from me.

“Dad,” he repeated.  Again, there was no response.

Quickly noticing that nothing was registering in my head, Brad tried again, only louder.  It was then that I recognized that he was trying to engage me in conversation yet my brain still did not seemingly have room for a reaction.  Rather than try a fourth time, he got my attention through humor.  He inquired in a booming voice, “Since saying ‘Dad’ doesn’t get me a response, what do you want me to call you so you’ll answer?” His attempts of the previous thirty seconds immediately registered.

More importantly, his humorous question completely cleared my mind of whatever it was that had me preoccupied.  Too often, frustration creates anger or animosity.  Brad’s lesson to me was perfect:  patience followed by humor is always preferable to irritable demands. 

Now, every time I hear Brad say, “Dad”, I remember that there is no other name by which I would rather have him know me.   

June 26, 2009