Sunday, November 18, 2007

The Conversation That I am Destined to Have for the NEXT Five Years

Yesterday my dad got to see the baby for the first time. He has been having trouble remembering her name, which hasn’t been surprising given the fact that he referred to Claire as “Clara” for the first five years of her life. He has trouble hearing but refuses to wear a hearing aid so many of our conversations go something like this-

"How's little Clara doing?"
"She's fine but her name's Claire."
"Huh?"
"Her name's Claire. Claire, not Clara."
"What did you say?"
"Nevermind. She's fine."

He was talking to the baby, Marin, while I was holding her and then looked at me and asked, “What’s her name again?”
I told him the same thing that I have told him every other week or so when we have had the exact same conversation (sometimes talking to him is like the movie “Groundhog Day”).

Me- “Her name is Marin. It rhymes with Karen, remember? It’s Latin for the sea.”
Dad- “I don’t speak Latin.”
Me- "Good Lord."

3 comments:

Lydia said...

As usual, your post has me cracking up, but this one is poignant as well. Interacting with and/or caring for aging parents has it's moments of smiles and warmth, that contrast greatly with the moments of sadness and frustration. I wish you patience, and strength as you care for your aging father.

Kitty said...

Funny post!

Great blog! I somehow found it through a bunch of steps.

cheers, K

84thProblem said...

Name tags. I'm pretty sure he can read. Probably need to keep up with the rhyming prompts though.