This post is really for the ladies, or even guys who cry, and that includes myself. My Dad’s generally an awkward sod, you know the type always knows best. We call him JR, his initials and after the crocked Texan from Dallas remember him!!
He’s a self made guy, came from a poor background 1 of 10 kids growing up in the 1930’s. he always reminds me “we had something money couldn’t buy, Poverty” Always been his own boss and can have a serious attitude problem at times. We ended up yesterday without a booking anywhere for Mothers day lunch because he left it too late to book anywhere. Guaranteed if we had booked some place, it would have been wrong, you know, wrong wine or wrong table in the restaurant you know what I mean. So we drew the short straw, and they came to us for a meal. 5pm because JR prefers that, “breaks up a boring Sunday evening” Remember this was Mothers Day - poor Mum. Generally she’s as good as gold.
Both my parents are in their 70’s now, so leaving them will be a tough experience especially as I’m an only child. Dad still believes he’s in his 40’s, loves himself and refers to people of a similar age as those old folk. In the past year since returning from our first holiday in Oz, I have bombarded them with talk about Australia, for them to realise we are serious about going. Their both the type’s who want to brush it under the carpet, but now at last they have realised we are going to be heading off to Oz (if approved). So back to yesterday, and the wine flowed and the tongs in true Irish style loosened, Dad -JR, made his first comment on how lovely everything was and how maybe next year we won’t be able to do this. Quick as a flash I was in Why not,? Come to Oz and we can have a BBQ. No chance, he replies, I’m not coming I’m not flying all that way. But fair play, he did it in a nice way not nasty. Talk moved on and on and another bottle of wine went down. Oz resurfaced, and JR repeated his earlier comments, but this time my dear old Mum, chipped in, Well I know it’s a long way, but I’ve decided I’m going to go over and visit. It looks beautiful and those houses on the TV (Wanted Down Under) were fantastic. Back retorted JR “What you’ll fly there on your own- hah hah hah (Sarcastic) Yes she said if I have too. “Its an adventure and if you want to see loved ones you’ll do it, you‘ll make the effort” It was epic comedy, Royal family and Fools and Horses all in one.
Anyway, the wine continued ( and bear in mind my wife and I have meds tomorrow so we weren’t drinking a drop) A few G & T’s also got thrown in. He then made a speech and said how much he’ll miss us but will support us and thinks we are doing the right thing, but he won’t be coming to see us.
At the end of the day for all his bravado and bossy attitude, I know Mum is the real boss there, and if she says she’s going to visit, I can guarantee they will both be there. Luckily their financially well off and should count their blessings of both health and wealth. It’s amazing how with a bit of work on her we have been able to convert her to onside with us. I know I’ll face a few emotional blackmail sessions from JR about how this move will destroy my Mum. But I know she’ll be behind us and everything will work out fine. For all interested he finally staggered out of my house at 10pm swaying back and forth, and has resurfaced today head bombing with a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp.
So ladies the moral of the story I think is get the wine flowing, get the DVD on of those great scenes from Oz in wanted Down Under and your almost on that Qantas star. It was a great laugh and great to see JR shot down once again put in his place by the little old lady who’s day it truly was, and who made our day too.
- Sorry it was a bit long.
