Life’s little triumphs bring such joy. My 12 year old son does quite well in school, but he struggles with the dreaded “M” subject…MATH!! He has been carrying a high D to a low C this grading period and one more bad grade would drop him to an F. It was making him sad, mad, and nervous.He had a difficult Chapter test on Tuesday. I helped him study for his test Saturday morning and Monday night. Yesterday, his mom sent me an e-mail and the subject line was “Ryan”. I knew she must have talked to him after school and he had told her what his grade was. And now she was relaying that info to me. My heart sank and my pulse quickened. A microthin layer of sweat blanketed my upper lip. Finally I mustered the courage to open the e-mail. It read “Ryan called me and he got an 89/B+. He screamed when he found out and the teacher gave him a big smile. Thanks for all of your help.” I smiled, and got a dose of misty-eyed joy.
I went to see him last night and he greeted me at the door. With a smile wider and bigger than Dennis Hastert’s ass, he said, “Did Mom tell you?” I said, “Yes she did Ryno, and I am very proud of you.” He then said, “Thanks Dad, most of it was because of you, thanks.”
Life can be hard. Life can be painful, but all in all I’m pretty damn lucky guy. And indeed life’s little triumphs do bring such joy.
I will be back later today with something much more caustic, until then, Cheers!!
Tonight’s Meatless Lenten Menu: Baked Potato smothered in butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives. Now THAT’s something I can live with.
25 comments:
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
I really mean it. That's so cool. I'll save the snark for later Matty.
I'm just a big syrupy jackass at heart TB.
[[[[[ daddy pants MattM]]]]]
Lifes little triumphs are the bestest!
As a mission of mercy I am going to give you a recipe a day. Although to spud sounds very good, today is huevos rancheros:
1. 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided
2. 1 (7 ounce) jar roasted red peppers, rinsed and sliced
3. 1 tomato, seeded and chopped
4. 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
5. 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed
6. 1 tablespoon white vinegar
7. 3 dashes hot pepper sauce
8. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
9. Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
10. 2 corn tortillas
11. 2 large eggs
12. 2 tablespoons salsa
13. 1/4 cup grated Cheddar cheese
14. 1 scallion, trimmed and chopped
2. Cooking Directions
1. Preheat broiler.
2. Heat 1 tsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add roasted red peppers, tomato and garlic; cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have softened, about 4 minutes. Add black beans, vinegar and hot pepper sauce; cook, stirring, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Stir in cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
3. Soften tortillas by heating them directly on a stovetop burner for about 30 seconds, turning frequently. Place the tortillas side by side on a heatproof dish. Spoon half of the bean mixture over each tortilla.
4. Wipe out the pan, brush with the remaining 1 tsp. oil and heat over medium heat. Crack eggs into the pan and break the yolks with a fork. Cook over medium heat until whites are set, about 1 minute. Flip eggs and cook until desired doneness. Place an egg on each tortilla. Top with salsa and cheese and broil until the cheese melts. Garnish with scallions and serve immediately.
Yield: 2 servings
Ha..."Daddy Pants", I like that Cheesy : )
Adav you have always been too kind. This is one that I may make this weekend. I wonder if it would go well with a dirty martini? Cheers my friend.
I would go with tequila, myself, but I have one I will give you tomorrow that would go great with a martini (it has olives in it) and is easy and quick.
Very good...One can never go wrong with olives!! Cheers...
Aw that post just tugged at my lil heartstrings....What a great Dad!!
Keep up the good work Matt.
Peace
You are such a great dad. I KNEW there was more to you than snark and cynicism! My kids are so much better than I with math, but when it comes to writing - watch out! That's MY domain.
Ryan is very fortunate that you and your ex have a relationship such that you can both parent him the way he needs you to do.
Thanks odat. I dont know if I am a GREAT dad, but so far his mom and I havent turned him into a monster!!
Why thanks Songbird. I figure I can help in Math up until about the 10th grade and then I will be of little use to him. Welcome Back and I am glad you're home.
Aw, Matt-man, I got more than a bit verklempt reading this. NOT something I expected when visiting the Bagwine Spot, but refreshing nonetheless.
I hope both you & Ryno know what a rare treasure it is to have such a strong father/son relationship.
Give the little bugger a congrats from uncle mo next time you see him. And pat yourself on the back too, DaddyPants.
Why thanks Mo...Ha "Daddy Pants" Cheesy may have stuck me with a new label. Cheers Uncle Mo...
Um, about the chives? We have none.
Rats!!
Really chuffed for the kid...I have that same feeling with Fabien as he's finally starting to make progress with his reading and his pride is something to see. Warms the cockles of my heart.
As it should Wendz, and congrats to the young Fabien. BTW, someone stole your picture!! Cheers...
That must've made your day, Matt! Cheers to you and the little guy.
Indeed it did Lizza...Happy Birthday to your Man-Boy : )
alright Ryno!! tell him good job for me and that baked patato sounds good to..hey I use to be a spud from Idaho I grew up in a patato patch LOL
Allie I think nearly everything in this world has got be prettier than Hastert's ass...I mean, not that I've seen it.
Roger is moving from Idaho to Michigan a step up or a step backwards? Cheers...
Well don't you keep your daddy parts in your pants?
DUDE!
I know how you feel.. that time you can help them.. and they acknowledge your contribution... they don't happen often.. when they do...WONDERFUL
So happy for Ryno and you
I try to Cheesy but sometimes they want to wander ; )
Thanks Bond...He actually does it fairly often. I lucked out he has been like that from the get go. Cheers!!
That's wonderful that Ryan did so well! What a great dad you are! I'm not being sarcastic. Not this time, at least!
Ha...Thanks Laura.
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