Rant & Rave
Rant & Rave
When I was kid, I thought my Dad was invincible. I thought he was incapable of crying or getting hurt and that he was better than Superman. I now realize only one of these things is true -- he's still better than Superman. Look, up in the sky!
It’s a bird, it’s a plane
—it’s my dad!What can I say about my father? He's my hero, my greatest fan and my worst critic. The man lit a fire under my butt when I was about 6 and hasn't stopped stoking it since. He pushed me to be the best that I could be.
I know that everyone thinks their Dad is the best but mine really is. Dad and Mom were divorced when my older brother Mark and I were barely toddlers. Instead of leaving us or giving up, Dad soldiered on and rebuilt his life with us, having faith that things would work out.
He told me that during that time, my brother and I found him crying and we hugged him as I said, "Don't worry Daddy, we'll take care of you." I think I was about 2 or 3 years old.My Dad looks like a mean son of a gun but on the inside, he's a big softy. I remember falling in love with my Dad when I was a little girl. I used to have this miniature rocking chair that I'd sit in and I still have pictures of me in it with Daddy kissing my cheeks or me biting his nose.
As long as I've known him, he's had a mustache. He used to come into my room in the cool of the early morning before he'd leave for work and give me snuggle kisses; his mustache tickling my cheeks. Then he'd tuck me in real tight and give me one last kiss on my forehead. He still does that when I go home for a visit.
My fondest memory of my Dad is his smell. He used to mow the lawn and come into the house smelling of sweat and grass and I'd crinkle my nose and make a funny face but there are times when I miss that smell.
He'd go take a shower and come out smelling of Irish Spring. It's a weird smell to remember, but every time I smell Irish Spring, I smile. Dad still uses that soap after all these years.
This Father's Day is special for me and I imagine it's special for him as well. Recently, I graduated from college and I feel like my Dad is starting to see me as an adult. I know he still wants to protect and guide me, but I also know that he's proud of me, more than he's ever been. Although he was strict when we were growing up, he taught me integrity and to be a woman of character.
He's not always vocal in expressing love for my stepmom, my brother and me, but when he does tell me he loves me, my heart melts because he doesn't even have to say it. I feel it when he calls just to hear my voice or tell me a funny story about our cat.
I will always be my Daddy's little girl and he will always be my favorite superhero.
Charlene Anne Rico is a graduate of
Hawaii Pacific University and Star-Bulletin intern.
Write to crico@starbulletin.com.Rant & Rave allows those 12 to 22
to serve up fresh perspectives. Speak up by snail mail:
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd.,
Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail or e-mail, features@starbulletin.com