Oh How I Ache

I’ve been visiting my daughter in Nebraska and this is the 2nd day I’m here.

I begin each day with a walk and today was no different. I was proud of myself because I walked twice as far as normal to go to Starbucks just to get an Internet connection. I’d forgotten that meant I had to do the same thing to return. Not even 11 am and I was already exhausted.

When I reached my daughter’s house I was beat, but we had to walk right back to Starbucks to catch the bus to the roller rink. The bus driver forgot to tell us where to get off so we wound up at the mall with 45 minutes until the next bus. What else do people do at malls other than shop? Yeah, walk. By this point I was beyond wore out. I got on my knees and begged God forgiveness for what ever I had done.

We finally reached the roller rink and I insisted I was not going to skate. I learned today that there is no greater power than an 11 year old girls pouty face. I rented skates. Why would anyone build a roller rink without a rail!!!! Who would think of such a thing? I don’t know who, but I hate them. This 44 y/o fat man looked pretty ridiculous practically crawling around the rink. I kept telling myself that no one there knew me so quit worrying about making an ass out of myself. But I cared…oh how I cared. For everyone else’s amusement I finally did fall in a very ungracious manner. Smack! Right on top of my arm. That was it. It was on to the video games for me.

Sierra eventually came to join me. We battled on a couple of games and the race cars, but that wasn’t good enough for her. She obviously had an evil plan to put her ‘ol man into an early grave. She insisted I join her on one of those dance thingies. I don’t know what they are called, but they are the ones where you watch a screen and have to step the way the screen tells you so that you are doing a lot of fast dancing. Not realizing that my heart was ready to explode inside my chest at this moment, she thought it was funny that I scored rock bottom on every set.

After a horrible pizza dinner at the rink we finally went home where I tried to repair her bicycle. Finally I had to give up on that. A glutton for punishment I suggested we go for a walk to chat before I left. I must be an idiot. We walked for 30 minutes, I dropped her off at home and called it a evening.

Now it’s the end of the night. I had to peel my clothes off myself. Every square inch of my body aches as well as being sunburned from head to toe. I now have a throbbing headache and just figured out I have an Internet connection right where I’m staying. I can only imagine what this kid is going to try to do to me tomorrow. I hope it involves lots of sitting. Maybe I’ll take her to the racetracks.

That all being said – today has been one of the best days of my life.

10 comments on Oh How I Ache

  1. Bradley, I have to admit I was laughing out loud about the roller rink w/out rails! LOL As a former figure skater, I can safely say rails are required! I’m so glad you had such a great day with your daughter! I’m in the same boat with the walking this week, been 5 nights in a row and today ended up in a mall with her!All I could do is come home and lay flat down on the couch, but declared this day one of the best in 3 years!I hope the rest of your visit is the best day of your life each day too! 🙂

  2. Bradley, you are so funny and yet touching at the same time. I enjoy how real and honest this post was for me. Your daughter has a good father. Peace. Annie

  3. You almost made me cry…I’m not sure if it was because I felt your pain, or it being the best day of your life !!!! Thanks so much for allowing us to witness these awesome emotional roller coasters with you..-Wishing you lotsa love and luck…

  4. Know what I ‘saw’ in the roller rink? Not a 44 y/o fat man of course! But a loving father to his daughter. 🙂

  5. Good for you! I don’t think our kids care whether we’re good or bad doing something. They just want us to try!

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