…But I am!
Now that the weather has turned, my Dad went out for a walk the other day and I realized that it’s really time to get an air tag for him. Maybe that way I won’t worry about how long he’s gone or if he’s tripped somewhere. Of course, figuring out where to put this air tag will be challenging since he doesn’t always wear the same clothes or shoes or jacket. And he sometimes forgets his wallet now.
hmmm…..
I worry about tons of stuff actually. And yup, a lot of it is related to my Dad. Not all though – I merrily worry about all of our performers and if everyone is feeling happy/satisfied and successful at every rehearsal. I worry about the ticket price, the PR campaigns, the programs, the volunteers, the musicians, the audience, etc etc. If you’re good at this worrying thing, you can see how there is a lot to worry about.
I don’t tend to worry about my husband, daughter or daughter-in-law as much as I worry about my father. Yes, yes – when health is involved or I hear about an accident on one of their driving routes. Then, I worry!
My father though has never been a worrier. So it was quite telling that he was quite worried about his “short term memory” until just a few weeks ago. And THAT’S how I know the happy pill is working! He is no longer as worried about his memory but instead is accepting it, half joking about it and viewing it as just a little bit of a challenge to overcome once in a while.
But wait. My Dad doesn’t really “do” challenges. I love them. My father tolerates them. Okay, that seems right – he’s still just tolerating this challenge, not embracing it. He’s also more oblivious than I am. I am hyper vigilant and aware. My father is so not!
We are so very different my father and I. How does that happen? We’ve lived together in this house for 27 years and before that, we lived together in a 2 bdrm, 1 bath apartment the first year my parents moved here. yup. And of course, the first 18 years of my life were spent in their home. That makes 45 years of my life in the same house together with my parents.
Anyhoo…., what shapes us is what I’m asking. I’m very much like 2 of my aunts on my Dad’s side. go, go, go, give, give, give and then just like my mother….worry, worry, worry. My Dad is much more laid back and easy going than I am. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Does he choose it? Does he know it?
Does it matter? Maybe the point for me here (if there needs to be one) is that I could learn to be a bit more like my Dad and perhaps, dare I say it, my Dad could learn to be a bit more like me. huh
I just need to not worry about it!
2 Responses
I think the “worry” gene exists more in women. We worry about what to make for supper, again. Although our children have long moved out, I worry if they are happy, if they are eating well, are they taking time for themselves, and most I worry that I’m not bothering them too much. I don’t want to become a worry for them. I worry about my sisters, they are all older than me. I worry about my brother and his health and happiness. I stay awake worrying about something I said or whether people will like my latest program. So I take a big breathe and count my blessings. My wonderful husband, my great kids and family, my dear friends. Breathe.
I was once told that worry is a useless emotion. Why think about all the things that have yet to happen? The best we can do is to control the things we can and let go of the things we can’t. All the giving and doing any of us do hopefully comes from the passion we have and the love we have for others. I see all the love, care and passion you have for your family and all the members of your choirs. It’s exceptional! That being said, we are all responsible for our own happiness. It’s up to us to grab all those notes, rhythms and words so we can perform for the audience and hopefully bring a smile to their faces. We cannot control the reaction – we can only control taking part, practicing and in the end, performing the best we can.
Thanks for all you do to make so many lives better … including your lovely dad!