On Fathers and Daughters

It's often been said that a daughter marries a man who is similar to her father. Growing up, I didn't believe it. But as I watch my friends get married, it is funny how often that is the case. My friends whose fathers are engineers tend to go for the engineer types, those with fairly authoritarian fathers seem to go for men with strong personalities. And for myself, I tend to go for the cocky, guitar-playing types.

Even for fathers and daughters who do not share a close relationship, there is a bond there that though undeniable is hard to describe. The older I get, the more I see this in my own life. While my Mom is the one I would like to emulate, it is my Dad that I tend to see in myself. It's in the little things... he was a runner, I like to run. When things aren't going well, he turns to his guitar, I do too. He is super-messy, and as much as I hate to admit it, so am I. His sense of smell is keener than most - things like the lingering scent of soap on dishes drives him crazy, I also suffer from this. There are a number of other things that come to mind, but it would take too long to list them all here.

All that to say, I find it very interesting the way God made fathers and daughters. I often don't appreciate my Dad. And lately I've been thinking that I shouldn't take him for granted, instead, I should enjoy the common interests and eccentricities we do share.

Send Me

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans,
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands,
Are you not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that you will finish what you began

These broken parts, you redeem,
Become the song, that I can sing

Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story, Is a part of your plan,
Here I am

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness,
And the fear that I'll fail you in the end,
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,

I can't put this together but you can

Here I am, Lord send me...

~ Here I Am by Downhere

This song came on the radio this morning and it seemed so applicable to my current situation in life, so I thought I would post some of the lyrics.

The Games We Play

Lately, I have been thinking about the misery that is dating (based on the experience of friends, seeing as I have almost no experience). The dating game has to be one of the most ridiculous things ever invented. And I have to wonder, has it always been, or is it a creation of more recent years? I mean, seriously! The rules don't even make sense. And who made them up anyway?! "Don't be too available." "Don't call back for 3 days." "Wait to respond to texts and emails so it looks like your busy and actually have a life." These are some of the rules I know about. I'm sure there are a ton of other rules I am completely oblivious to. What I don't understand is why it continues. Everyone complains about it. Guys complain that they don't understand the games girls play and girls say the same about guys. No one really seems to enjoy it - or maybe that is just part of the game too... Are we supposed to pretend we don't like the game or don't follow the rules, while secretly loving all the drama it causes? Well, I don't. I don't like the drama, suspense, etc. Thus, I refuse to play the game. If I hear the phone ring, I pick it up (unless it is a telemarketer). If I want to talk to you, I will call (regardless of how much time has passed). And when I see a text come in, I try to respond immediately (and that goes for all my friends - not just guys). Maybe that means I will spend the remainder of my nights home alone with my crossword puzzles while my roommate goes out and meets new guys. And maybe that's ok. Afterall, what little dating experience I do have is filled with far more regrets than happy memories. And there is always the possibility that there is a man out there who hates the game as much as I do. So, here's to a solitary, drama-free life. ;-P