Measuring Up
Dear Frankie,
My sister Gillian holds the record in our state for track. Why not? She’s a whippet/greyhound mix with a body built for speed: long and lean legs, narrow hips, and a sleek torso. My dad was a runner, so he takes great pride in Gillian’s accomplishments in track.
I, on the other hand, have no athletic abilities. I’m a basset/corgi mix with a body built for comfort: short legs, a thick middle, and a stomach that hangs and sways when I walk.
My dad and I are fanatic football fans. We have caught every game in the last eight years when one of our teams played at the stadium or was on TV. My love of the game and companionship has been a great source of pleasure for my dad. But nothing close to the pleasure he gets from Gillian’s success.
Terrance
Dear Terrance,
Why can’t you accept your father enjoys you and Gillian for your different strengths and qualities and leave it at that?
I think you are selling yourself short. It’s not easy to find a suitable companion whose company you enjoy over time and who also shares your passion. Look at the 50% percent divorce rate in America. Many couples tire of one another after a few years.
Do you think your dad would have adopted you if he was looking for an athlete or adopted Gillian if he was looking for a buddy who was content to be a spectator?
He adopted each of you because you were different and had unique qualities, and the first time he saw you, you touched his heart. As my mother used to say, “Terrance, Enjoy yourself already, and stop making trouble.”
Best, Frankie
© 2023 Geneva Woodruff
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