Dad: The Built In Best Friend | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

Dad: The Built In Best Friend

Don't forget about your biggest supporter.

69
Dad: The Built In Best Friend
Anna Graziano

I thought of something the other day that made me both happy and sad.

I pictured myself, young and small, sitting on my father’s shoulders as we walked around the house before bed. As we passed from room to room, he’d duck under doorframes singing, “there she was, just a walkin’ down the street singin’ do-wa-diddy-diddy-dum-diddy-do.” For my siblings and I, this was the best part of our day and something that we have each personally held onto in the years that followed. This memory has always made me so happy, but somewhere along the way I began to think about the fact that one day he put each of us down for bed and never picked us back up for a walk around the house again.

In the years since, my father has found other ways to pick each of us up. He’s been a supporter at events, games, and shows. He’s been a friend to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, and the support beam under which our whole family resides. Where there was once song before bed there is now talks about our futures, shared memories, and many laughs. As children, our fathers are a figure to look upon for guidance, and a hero that inspires us everyday.

And, as we get older – if we’re lucky – our fathers remain those things. But the biggest perk of growing up is that they grow too, into our best friends.

There are times when I take my dad for granted, and when I forget how much he does for me. I’ll catch myself forgetting to say thank you, ignoring a typical Dad joke or rolling my eyes at something that was meant to make me smile. Years later, he is still always trying to pick us up in one-way or another. I find myself wishing for ways that I could pick him up and hoist him over my shoulders in order to make his day-to-day life feel just a little bit lighter. As the kid, it feels as though we can never make anything up to the one who has given us everything. We cannot give them back the time that they have spent helping us grow and we cannot repay them for all of the life that they have given us. But we can make all of this worthwhile. We can let our fathers watch us grow, and include them in our lives.

So when Dad asks about your day, give him more than just a simple “good” or “fine.” Don’t blush and roll your eyes when he asks about your social or love life – a father that wants what’s best for you cares about that stuff just as much as you do, and isn’t trying to embarrass you by asking. He was your age once too and, while you may give him gray hairs at times, you also keep him young. So, while you may not literally be able to carry your father on your shoulders, one of the best pick-me-ups that you could offer him is the opportunity to be a part of the world that he helped you build.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
April Ludgate
NBC Universal

Everyone who is in college right now, or has ever been, knows the struggle of pulling in the strings at the last second. It seems impossible, and you have to do a LOT of things in order to assure your future for the next semester.

April Ludgate, historically, is a very annoyed person, and she doesn't hide it. Of all the times that I binged and re-binged "Parks and Rec," her attitude relates more and more to me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

To The Cheerful Person On Their Rainy Days, You Are Valid

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

283
pug covered with blanket on bedspread
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Ask friends of mine to name a quality about me, and one a lot them will point out the fact that I am almost always smiling. I like to laugh and smile -- not to quote Buddy the Elf in April, but smiling is my favorite! It is probably my favorite go-to expression. However, what a lot of people do not see is that I have my down days. I have days when smiling and laughing is a real struggle, or when I have so much on my plate that going out of my way to behappy takes more effort than I have stored in me. Be it a symptom of college and growing up or a facet of life, I cannot always be content.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Struggles of Packing for College

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

345
a room with boxes and a window

1. Figuring out when to start

Timing is key, you don’t want to start too early or too late.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times 'Parks and Recreation' Has Summed Up Your Life

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

262
parks and rec
Liz Keysmash

Amidst my hectic college career, I always find time for one thing, even on the busiest weeks: Parks and Recreation. This show has made me laugh and has made me cry, but most of all I have related to this show more than I would like to admit.

Here are some "Parks and Rec" moments that relate to life struggles that just about everyone faces.

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate
Facebook

April Ludgate from Parks and Recreation is notorious for her "I don't care" attitude. She speaks her mind without caring what anyone thinks of her. Fans love her because she isn't afraid to be herself. April can seem cold and negative, but she's really just fearless and strong-minded. And despite her sometimes harsh words, April truly cares about the people she's closest to. These are all reasons she is the epitome of a college student. April complains whenever she has to do any kind of work, but ends up doing the work anyway. April Ludgate is the ultimate college student spirit animal.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments