Things my dad used to say

At our Mother’s Day writing circle, my students and I had a few good laughs when we realized that our mothers used to have many of the same old-fashioned sayings: “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” “Children should be seen and not heard.” And my personal favorite, “Your face is going to freeze that way.”

Things my dad used to say

That got me thinking about the things my dad used to say. Sure, there were the usual things like, “Don’t spend it all in one place.” But others were uniquely his. When we were little, he made up a song about our breakfast cereal to get us to eat it. “We like Crispy Critters / And we know Crispy Critters like us / We like Crispy Critters / And we eat them without any fuss.” (It always worked.)

My dad was really corny

The older I got, the more I rolled my eyes whenever he opened his mouth. To get me out of bed in the morning (still not an easy task), he shook my shoulders and said, “Mr. Littleton called. He wants you to get up and come to school.” REALLY Dad? Mr. Littleton was our high school principal. I hoped none of my friends would ever hear him say anything like that.

My dad has been gone almost nine years, and I’d give anything to hear him sing his Crispy Critter song or call his shin bone a “foreleg.” (He grew up on a farm, after all.) True to form, he was corny right up to the end. When my mom got dementia and began to forget almost everything, Dad told her, “It’s not your fault, Edith. It’s Al’s fault.” Who is Al? I wondered aloud. “Why, it’s Mister Al ZEIMER!” he said with a big grin. (Really Dad?)

Write from where you are right now

Whether you’re estranged from your father, sharing his life today, or missing his presence like I am, there is always something to learn from a Father story. Writing can be healing and empowering as you sift through the complexities of one of your oldest relationships. So when you’re ready, take the time to pause, reflect, and write from the place where we are right now, honoring memories of the past, and opening our hearts to something new.

What did your dad used to say?

I’d love to hear from you.