Copyright Liz Young
Birthday parties were the total pits; his need to entertain was almost manic.
“Your Dad’s real cool,” my friends would say, falling about laughing.
“He’s a real dork,” I’d think, cringing as he performed his latest party trick. I just wanted a father like other kids had, someone you could respect.
“You shouldn’t have encouraged him,” I told my mother years later, “he became totally ridiculous.”
She glanced towards the faded photograph of Dad in his army uniform, before fixing me with a gently reproachful gaze.
“If he hadn’t made people laugh,” she whispered, “he would have made them cry.”
A re-tread from ten years ago – have I really been doing this for so long? The answer is even longer. And likewise for Rochelle, the trusty leader of Friday Fictioneers. Thank you, Rochelle.
castelsarrasin 
And yet her friends thought he was great.
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Thanks for reading, Neil.
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As children we see parents as embarrassing. While unbeknown to us , others wish they had our parents. I liked this a lot. Thank you.
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Thanks for reading, Ellen.
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You are most welcome, I enjoyed it.
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I agree with Ellen here.
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Dear Sandra,
When I joined FF eleven years ago next month, you were one of the pillars of the group who welcomed me. Thank you…I think. 😉 Love this story. I think my dad was a little like the father in your story. Humor is often born out of pain. Still a good read.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for reading, Rochelle. How time flies, hey?
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This is beautiful, Sandra. A perfect FF story with such depth in the 100 words.
Jen
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Many thanks, Jen.
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Isn’t it often the case? The child of the parent thinks he/she is lame and is embarrassed by them whilst their friends love them.
And, as Mum said, better to make them laugh than cry.
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Each to their own, or in this case maybe not. Thanks for reading, Dale.
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I hear ya
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You really got me with that last line 😦
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Thanks for reading.
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You’re welcome, Sandra.
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I think children tend to feel embarrassed about their fathers, simply because they feel their friends might judge. But as a father , who cares. Just enjoy the moment. I like the sentiment turn at the end.
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Thanks for reading, James.
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It makes me wonder what I did to embarrass my sons. I’m afraid to ask. It might be a long list. 🤔
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I’m sure it’s not as long as the list of your accomplishments, Tracey.
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I love the subtext!
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True for so many war vets. My dad was not a joker or entertainer, but he could tell a great story–just not about the war!
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Yes, my Dad had very little to say about his time in the RAF. Thanks for reading Linda.
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Laughter to hide the tears! They say comics are the saddest people in the world. However true that may be, your tale bears it out beautifully.
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Thanks for reading Isadora.
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Embarrassing as he may have been, the alternative would have been sorrowful. A lovely story, Sandra.
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As much for him as for others, I guess. Thanks for reading, Keith.
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A valuable lesson to learn about your dad, evenif it was a bit late.
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Yes, only when it’s too late do we realise what we never found out about them. Thanks for reading Liz, and great photo.
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If he did not make them laugh, he would make them cry.
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Thanks for reading.
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A first for me. Ten years or ten days, an excellent story, Sandra. Not all dad’s are humorous. Too bad.
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Thanks for reading Bill.
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And you still do it well.
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Thanks so much, Dawn.
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Lovely story. It’s amazing how events change as we age.
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So true. Thanks for reading.
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Oh! I enjoyed the story, especially the last line. 🙂
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Lovely – I think we are often embarrassed by our parents when we are children and even when we are older too! ❤
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Comedy and goofiness often come from a place of deep pain. It’s often better than the alternatives.
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daughter had a great comeback.
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Lovely. It’s funny that the parents who think they’re cool are actually embarrassing to the children. Really can’t win.
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