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Dad, Life's Good For You, Right?

LifeSign... from a trip to England It happened one day.

My daughter and I were in the car... serious-faced- she asked,

"Dad, Life's good for you, right?"

I was about to answer philosophically when she added, "I mean... better than most cereals?"

I was prompted by Gregory Lohr to share that snippet. It was from my comment on his blog post "The Not So Sweet Truth" which is based on this: Consumer Reports Investigates Sugar in Cereal.

Still. It begs the philosophical question... Life is good for you, right? The short answer, is yes... life is good. In fact- very good. Let me illustrate:

We have a family tradition that's called "Daddy Daughter". It's a large umbrella label for any event in which I'm able to spend time with my daughters. It may be planned well in advance and include somewhat elaborate elements or it may be just a quick trip to the store.

I suppose everyone knows about father-and-son bonding... but I'm not sure the uninitiated is aware of how fathers feel about their daughters. We're protective... and proud. Our daughters make us want to live up to their high expectations of us... and though they have the power to manipulate us, I'm sure they tend to use this power for good.

Our latest daddy-daughter adventure was hurried. It was a camp-out to the Rim Country, northeast of Payson, Arizona. We left late in the afternoon and arrived after dusk. There were other dads and daughters there... this is one of those more elaborate events- it involved a good portion of the neighborhood.

"Big Dipper" by Ben Borkowski - http://flickr.com/photos/benborkowski/ When you leave the city lights the stars take over. For my seven year old, this was the brightest sky she'd ever witnessed. She saw the big dipper with a clarity that she had not been able to appreciate at any other time in her life.

We talked about the north star and how it was used to guide travelers. When one beholds the universe, it is only natural to ask the big questions. Not about breakfast cereals... but about our place in the world.

It wasn't until sunrise that we realized how beautiful the surroundings were. I would describe it... but hey... come to Arizona and see for yourself. We're not all desert you know. We have some stunning mountain tops and a canyon that some have described as grand.

******

We left the mountains at mid-day. WHY?! Well... the girls wanted to get back in time to meet Brook White. [She made it to the top five on American Idol.] She's from Mesa- the place we call home. She was appearing at Milano's Music in Mesa, to sign autographs. I had warned my girls that the line could be long and that there was a good chance that we wouldn't arrive there in time. Undaunted we pressed on.

Yes... sadly, my forecast was true. We arrived just in time for the official to tell my three daughters that there was just no way for them to meet Brooke... otherwise, she would be late for her sound check. She would be performing later that evening for a free concert.

Meeting Brooke White

Life is that way sometimes. The line is drawn right in front of you.

One woman, witnessing my three daughters, said "This is just breaking my heart... girls... get back in line." It was Brooke's mother... she is as gracious a person as you could ever meet. Thanks to her kindness, my girls were able to meet her daughter- one of thier idols.

That's the other thing I wanted to tell you about.

You see... There's this bond between mothers and daughters ... and they....

ahhhhh... I'll save that for another post. :-)

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Chuck Willman is a real estate agent based in Arizona. He's the father of six (one son & five daughters.)

Reach Chuck at 480.292.0600 or online www.AZvest.com

Posted by Chuck Willman, Arizona Realtor® 480.292.0600 on 10/02/2008 06:02 PM

Comments (31)

Mesa Arizona in the ActiveRain Channel

payson, mesa, arizona, rim country, brooke white, american idol

Originally posted at: Arizona Real Estate Specialists: Dad, Life's Good For You, Right?

This post has been included in Arizona Information Maricopa County, AZ Information Mesa, AZ Information
Post is included in group: Agent Dad
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: Family Ties
Post is included in group: Arizona Homes
Post is included in group: The Optimist

31 Comments on Dad, Life's Good For You, Right?

OCT

2008

See! I was right in my Friendship Ball post ... you *ARE* a good dad! Sounds like a wonderful time with your girls. I have three girls, so I know...there is nothing like it.

What a wonderful story! My husband is a terrific Dad too, and our kids really look forward to going on "dates" or erands with him too!

Hey Chuck - From good Dad to another...Kudos! And lots of them!!!
My two girls are 20 years apart in age...5 & 25...and the oldest is about to have a birthday soon! I don't brag about much in life, but I do brag about my girls. I may have made a lot of mistakes in life, and messed up here and there, but I take a great deal of pride in being a good father. I always enjoy stories like this of other Dads who spend time with their kids and take the time to be a good father! I'm glad I inspired you to write this...shhh....don't tell anyone that was my intent when I made that comment...LoL! Love your writing style, it's quite good. ~ Greg ~

Chuck, gosh I love this story. Honestly it brought tears into my eyes. With all the stuff going on with economy my daughter nodded to the TV and said, "mom, are you and dad OK, with............"

They pick up so much, don't they?

Glad they got to meet Brooke, I really liked her during Idol.

Sharon- That's so kind of you to say. Thanks!

Pam- You just can't do too many of those.

Gregory- Hey our range is not so different... my oldest is 24 and youngest is seven. Thanks for the inspiration, buddy.

Missy- I'm honored that you enjoyed it. It's so true- there are bigger things going on in our children's lives.

Chuck, how wonderful that you are willing and able to spend time with your girls. When I was small, my father worked 3 jobs, and any father-daughter event, I did not get to attend. I think I was around 9 years old before I figured out I had a dad! But we grew closer thank goodness after I graduated high school. I know now ,he was working hard for us, but as a child you don't understand that. I have lived long enough to know that old saying is true. A son is a son till he takes a wife...but a daughter is a daughter for the rest of your life.

Now that's a great story, Chuck...and one to poke a hole in the "Stage Mom" theory too! Thanks for sharing such a neat family experience with us all.

Sherry- Is there a parent alive that didn't wish for more time? I'm glad that you have that long view and really wish you could have had more time with him. Thanks for commenting.

Kent- Thanks Kent! Yes... the longs were line (Mesa loves their idol!) but my goodness- what a nice family. I was very impressed.

OCT

2008

Little girls are always forever in love with their Daddies! Yours are very lucky....

Life s not good for you Chuck.. it is great, especially if you can bond with your girls like that You are a lucky man and they are lucky girls! Next time can you take me to see Brooke. My 3 boys only like sports!

Hi Chuck,
Life is good for your girls--having a loving and dedicated Dad like you. From the voice of experience, I can say "there's nothing better than being 'Daddy's little girl' and that never changes".

Susie- That's a tall order to live up to! I sure hope to not disappoint. Thanks so much for visiting the post- I always enjoy your comments.

Judy- Ha! Fortunately my girls don't expect me to be an expert at fancy braids or fashion- the skill set is a bit imposing... it's nice that what our kids most desire is time.

Cynthia- I love that confirmation... that daughters hold their fathers in such high regard... it makes me what to be vigilant in living up the their billing.

Chuck what an absolutely wonderful memory making time you just had! Do daughters hold their father’s in high regard???? Today my Dad turned 90 years old. He’s closer to you than me – he’s in Tucson. We’ve talked numerous times today but I miss being there. BUT he wanted to come to Raleigh so that his little girl could give him a birthday party (so it's planned over Thanksgiving week). Daddy’s are and forever will be our knights in shining amour. You make a great Knight!

Raleigh Realtor – Pamela St. Peter

OCT

2008

Chuck- that's an amazing story and I'm so thankful for people in this world like you and like Brooke's mom who made your little girls' day. You sound like a wonderful dad. My daddy turns 68 in just a few days and I'm still very grateful for the bond I have with him. Plus when I was a kid he taught me how to read a map and that's helped me a ton in my real estate career. God Bless you.

OCT

2008

Chuck - as a father of 3 girls who loves daddy-daughter night, it's great to hear about your successful outing. Although, I realized I failed as mine would have loved to have met Brook as well.

Chuck - Cherish these times with your daughter they grow up so fast, but then if you are luck you can continue to have good times. Your daughter will look bakc on her childhood and always remember that day and her daddy-daughter bonding.

Chuck - I liked your anecdote at the beginning so much that I shared it with my wife. Good stuff! I am including your post in the Family Ties recap today.

Chuck-

Sounds like you are a fantastic dad and you are totally right about the daddy-daughter bond. Mine is still very strong with my father and nothing can bring me to tears faster than witnessing that love between my girls and their daddy. No matter how his day was, when he sees them all his stresses leave him! I know that they, just as I am, will always be their daddy's little girls!

Pamela- I'm so glad to hear this... and yet I suspected it... such hope we fathers have- knowing that our little groups don't seem to forget dad.

Tammy- Thanks so much for your comment. I too look back on the many things my parents taught me through the years. Some of them probably seemed trivial at the time but I constantly reflect on their example and try to keep it going with my own family.

Todd- I'm glad they made it a priority... it was their optimism that spurred me on. Later that night we went to the show at Mesa Ampitheater. It's a place where you can spread out the picnic blanket... have you been there? It was such a beautiful night ... and the mayor gave her a proclamation ... evidently it was official... this was "Brooke White Day."

Pam- I want to thank you for your comments. It's posts like these that help encourage me to include some of the non-business related items. Yet this is at the heart of real estate- finding homes for people. It's what got me into the business... I was appreciative of the people who helped me find places to live. At the heart of it- it's a personal business.

Jason- I'm honored. There's such a great assortment of posts there. Is it ok if I link to it? It's VERY MUCH WORTH THE VISIT ALL: Family Ties Re-cap

Shawnia- I know the feeling! Thank you so much for your comment- it's true... these young ones are such day-makers.

Chuck - That's a great story! I'm glad your daughters got to meet Brook White. I really liked her, too... :)

Debi- Isn't that great? I tell you, I was a bit concerned that it wasn't going to happen but, I can't emphasize enough how kind it was for her family to hang in there and let more people meet her.

what a great story within a story - thanks for sharing

OCT

2008

Thesa- I appreciate that Thesa... sometimes I have more than one thing to say. :-)

OCT

2008

As a father of six, four of them daughters...I can relate. They are close to grown up and I'm now just getting to know them, it seems. Alas, I was home a lot, even worked 90% out of home office, and at every ball game and school assembly but ALWAYS had real estate on the brain...workaholic.

You are truly blessed. Treasure every moment.

Dave Culbertson, Broker/Owner, Real Living Home Team, Mount Vernon, OH

Now it's time for round 2...(first grandchild)

Hi Chuck,

What a great post. Life is certainly GOOD! Wonderful family and I really think you should bring them with you when you venture to Louisiana to check things out again. They might like it as well.

OCT

2008

Hi Chuck,

What a terrific story. And you are so right, my dad is one of my best friends!

Enjoy!

Nice story - I like the little intro with the cereal. Funny how we see things differently as children and adults.

OCT

2008

I love these stories, Chuck... I have tons of scribblings of things the kids said when they were little...their interpretations are a tremendous gift of the PRESENT, and could always nudge me from a place of busyness to a moment of extreme gratitude and joy, where nothing else mattered, except to listen and take in those moments... I'm glad your gorls got to meet Brook!

Someone told me that it takes a real man to have a daughter.

Oh Chuck - that story brought tears to my eyes - I love your 'touchy feely' blogs..:-) Your daddy/daughter days sound wonderful...........I used to have individual date nights with each of my kids once a month.......they were precious and I'll remember them always - I think they'll remember one or two too!

p.s. I love Brooke too - how cool of her mom to get you guys lined up like that.:-)

OCT

2008

Dave- We have quite a bit in common! I just found out today that my next grandchild (number two) is going to be a girl... so- one of each. I'm getting ready!

Laurie- I look forward to the best friend stage... of course that will requre a few more years.... hmmmm... such a dilemma.

Georgina-Kids can be so literal... in this case it was a bit of a role reversal.

Mara- I wish I had been more diligent about journaling. My memory has failed me on a few of these things.

Scott- Then I'm in real trouble. :-)

Liz- I try not to make females cry. Please tell me this is a good thing. ;-)

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