my sickness made my son cry
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This weekend I had a moment that every father goes through at least once. I happened to be going out to the Mall Of America in search of a new pair of shoes for my son. He was excited for this, and he wanted a pair of shoes just like dad. Hearing him say this made me smile, I dont think anyone in my position would not do the same. On the way to the mall I made a pit stop, and that was at a Starbucks that is close to my house. My son has a new quirk that he does, and that is any time I stop the car he shouts out, "Me too." This means that where ever I am going, he wants to go as well. I thought nothing of it, took him out of his car seat and the two of us headed in hand in hand so daddy could get his fix for the day.
This is where my sickness comes into question, and my sickness is no matter where I am, if I see cd's for sale I will make it a point to check out what ever they have to offer. I also want to add here that I usually never go to Starbucks, it just so happened that there was one right on the way to the MOA, and when you have a three year old in the car quickness is the most important thing. I gave my order, and then watched as my son explored the inside of the store at a safe distance. Watching kids explore is something I think only becomes appreciated once you have one of your own. That is when the cd rack caught my eye, and I kneeled down to see what it had to offer.
I was not that impressed, but my "sickness" made me take cd's out and look at each track listing. I will say that Starbucks used to have a nice compilation series that artists picked out the songs that inspired them to write music. In fact, the Lucida Williams cd I bought there is still one of my favorite cd's to listen to when on a long car ride.
Anywho, as I am looking through the selections I hear my son say, "Daddy?" I realized that I was hidden from his sight, a big no no when it comes to a three year olds point of view. Although I could see him, he could not see me and panic soon came over his face. Before I could make myself be seen the tears were out, and I was left feeling about as small as a rabbit turd.
Yes, my sickness of music indeed made my son cry but I look at it this way. I know the experience only brought the two of us closer, the hug that ensued afterwards came pretty close to breaking my neck. I also realized that maybe in my old age I need to be more selective with the music I feel I need to check out. What is worse, making your son cry, or checking out the track listing for Northern Sounds - Canada's Best and Brightest Songwriters. I think in the future I will do my best as to not scare the shit out of my son.
Comments (14)
thanks for sharing, I'm a sick one too, I go into used record stores and tell my son to look around whilst I rummage and he is bored a bat sh%t but I reward him later with something he likes to do.. he will someday look back as I did, *when my Mum took me to fabric stores, and think man, that was torture.. but they live through it. Cheers Mate!
INdy x
Oh you are a sick twisted evil father Kev! How could you obsess on music till your son cried? That is just the ultimate abuse! Hey, if that's the worst it gets then your son is doing well & should count his lucky stars. There's tons of kids who are far, far worse off in this world(& I mean really worse off).
So why no red button track? WHERE'S THE MUSIC, MAN?! I'm jonesin' here!
ahahaha great story
Yes, you are the male version of Spears. Your evilness cannot be fathomed.
Is there a music-rehab clinic we can shove you in?
NAWWW! We like you even more now :)
Would be cool to have a music-rehab clinic tho. Call me "relapse" ;)
I remember when my kids were that age; they can be quite temperamental when it comes to time with Daddy. If this is the only time you've made him cry, you're a miracle worker. :)
great story... hope the venti caramel frappacino was worth it.
Just kidding, as long as you teach him all about what good music truly is. Then all shall be forgiven, I'm sure...
Indiana, funny you should talk about fabric stores, my mom used to drag me to Northwest Fabrics and I can still remember the smell of it
August - I will post some music later, was tired and to lazy to do it last night
Jox - Glad you enjoyed, hows school going for you by the way
Anna - It would be safe to say you are the Amy Winehouse of music rehab but much better looking
Dale - I wish I could say it was the only time, it was one of the only times though that I truly felt like crap for doing so
Ms - I always go with the coffee, but this day it was a latte for me. I will do my best on themusic front, although I fear the Jonas Brothers or some crap like that will become his favorte some day
Wait you stopped at Starbucks on the way to the MOA... you do know there are 2 Caribou's, a Starbucks and robert's coffee (I think that what it's called) in the MOA?... yeah, I also have to check out CDs in anyplace that I am in...even if I know they are just going to make me mad..
Well admiting your sickness is the first path to recovery. Welcome Kevin, your among friends.
I think our sons our close in age, because my son is the same way. When ever were leaving he says "Don't leave without me!" as if we've ever left him home alone in his life. It's funny, but also as bold as they are about exploring everything, you still see how big and scary the world can be at times.
I too enjoy watching the exploring of my son in stores, much to the obviously tense looks the clerks get on their face. Fortunately he has a good sense of what can and can't break, so he's not a terror. I also try to calmly exlpain why he can't touch something when he does have something breakable. It always seems the parents shouting and yelling at their kids the most in public, are the ones who have the worst kids.
hah, once in the fourth grade i got lost in a store for an hour....with my grandma. i cried and she just told me i was being ridiculous.... im glad you dont treat a child's fear at being left behind like it is nothing. to this day i still refuse to leave my grandmother's side if we go shopping together.
great read. you can definitely create a learning experience out of it and show him what's what in the music world.
I think I just figured out why I relate to your posts beyond just our musical taste(s) in common. I grew up in the Twin Cities, lived there until I was 26. I, too, am in the process of raising a child, and I, too, spent many hours in Northwest Fabrics (and I can ALSO smell that smell deep in the back of my olfactory bulb).
I'd venture a bet that we're the same age as well.
Here;s to the internets.
great piece! it's nice read a little well-written personal narrative every once in a while.
shoes and coffee are important, but teach that boy some music. show him the way to "sickness" so he, too, can build up a tolerance.
a few years ago when i was working for a concert production company, we brought in an austin-based band called the asylum street spankers, and i remember them speaking about a children's album they had just done.
"children's music, in general, is demeaning," i'm paraphrasing here, from memory, "it's awful and it insults the intelligence level of kids. so we wanted to make an alternative--good music that took time and thoughtful composition that kids, we hope, can understand and enjoy."
i haven't heard it myself, mind you, but it might be something to look into.
rawk, be careful these sicknesses are sometimes herediitary.