Do you remember, when you were a kid,
the joy that came from being noticed (in a positive way) by a grown up? I’m sure you know what I mean, an unsolicited, "out of the blue", compliment about something that mattered.
Yesterday, Audrey called me.
When I saw the screen light up with her name, I understood the feeling
that came over the dog when we’d let him out of the house. I jumped up and ran around my office 3 times
then scratched behind my ear with my left shoe.
I know, this is a touch different than the whole "being noticed thing", but I'm being honest here.
I know, this is a touch different than the whole "being noticed thing", but I'm being honest here.
“Hi Audrey! I’m so
happy you called!!”
“Hi Dad! Things are
great. I saw you called and thought I’d
call you back.”
At this point, my feelings turned from “dog running around
the office” to “Grandpa in the nursing home.”
“Well, kiddo, its Tuesday.
Mom and I called on the way home from church on Sunday.”
“Hmm, that’s weird; it looked to me like you just called.”
Obviously, her iPhone must have some kind of issue. Seriously.
I think it’s important to accept “techno glitch” excuses at face value
as they are a key source of excuse for all of modern humanity. To call someone out on this would be a grand hypocrisy
and probably trigger some kind of voice recognition software that would send
electric shocks through my ear.
Realizing that I’m now in the realm of “aged man eager to
hear his daughter’s voice”, I went on, knowing that all power had ceded to the
young woman on the other end of the line.
We chatted about friends, the dorm, running, and ROTC PT
training. We talked about some socially
aware art class where she needed to buy Cool Aid for coloring.
We talked about kayaking class.
I’m still trying to reconcile kayaking to Pre-Med, but her
academic advisor says she’s got an excellent 1st semester schedule. I don’t know.
I suppose they know what they’re doing down there, but it occurs to me
that maybe “Cool Aid” is a code word for something else. Time will tell.
All is good for her and honestly, as long as remembering (yes,
I know I’m using “remembering” loosely here) Mom and Dad every so often is on
the agenda, we’ll all be good.
Otherwise, we’ll start texting her daily........
