Admittedly they are not pursuing the distance I chose at their age, as I took my wife and baby from Ohio to San Francisco, but far enough that I will be lucky to see them every couple of weeks.
Somehow it seemed fair to me when I did it, but it seems cruel now that they are doing it.
The one that will lose the most is my granddaughter, Miss Leah. A fragile 9 month old baby girl that I foresee living life out in the boondocks wearing one of those goofy Amish bonnets and using a shovel to pitch hay (because a pitchfork is a symbol of the devil)
Just look at Papaw's precious little angel...
I call her my little "Butterfly" and am probably more in love with her than anyone else in the world. I suppose there is some justice in it all. I remember my mother begging me to come home and settle down but by then I had a whole new life. I had friends, a band, a job, shows to play, work to do and a daughter to raise. What they wanted or needed didn't seem important to me. I imagine that it was the most selfish time in my life and to this day I still regret it.
Furthermore, I have lost my authority in this matter as I am just the "Papaw" and not the "Daddy. That irks me. I am accustomed to calling the shots when it comes to my family, even if I screwed up a few times in the process.
OK, maybe I'm being a little dramatic about it, since they are looking at a house less than an hour away, but I am very accustomed to having all my girls at arms reach.
Last night I dreamed I bought a Cessna and was flying it to go see them. What the hell is wrong with me. Anything? Is this normal pre-separation anxiety? Why doesn't my wife want to join my side and help me champion the cause against the evil ones planning their escape from the family circle? Or are they trying to escape me?
Maybe I'll play the guilt card ! I'm not getting any younger ya know. I'll tell them all I am dying of some incurable disease and they'll have to stay close! I'll get a wheelchair and sit around looking all old and sickly ! That might just work !
Probably not. I raised my daughter hard as nails and she can be very determined when she wants to...
What is a Papaw to do? Shall I wait for the big "I told you so!" ? What if I don't live that long?
Do I put my foot down? She'd just laugh at me.
Do I abduct my granddaughter and hide out in Florida under an assumed name? Nah, I'm to small to go to jail and I would end up being Crazy Joe the 300 lb black wrestler's bitch.
I have no options here except to take my medicine I guess.
But I for one know there are worse things than being kicked in the balls. One day everyone you love is there by your side, loving each other, laughing with (or at) each other or crying with each other. It's a hard pill to swallow for a sentimental old man like me. Please excuse my indulgence as I share my weaker side.
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