Things I heard my Daddy say

Daddy turns 81
grandmother and grandfather
Daddy eating out with his only Sweetheart!

By way of greeting me

  •  “Hey Girl-baby!”
  • “How’s my Aileenie?”

 About work and school

  •  “I don’t care one bit whether you make straight A’s. But don’t let me hear tell of you not doing your best.”
  • “Do what shows first.” (Meaning, “When you are overwhelmed, get the big stuff out of the way and don’t get sidetracked by minutia.”)
  • “A big part of your job is making your boss look good.” (Meaning—among other things—“Never badmouth your boss, even to co-workers.”)
  • “If you get so smart you think you’re better than somebody else, it’s time for you to go back to school.” (Daddy has his Doctorate of Ministry.)

Because he’s Daddy

  • To wake up teenagers: “Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory, Glory!” (Only he sings it. L O U D L Y. While turning on all lights and opening all blinds.)
  • When he’s surprised: “I’ll be John Brown!”
  • When frustrated with himself: “I swanee!” (Pronounced like the river and perhaps a permissible substitute for “I swear,” that he and his brothers could slip past their mother without having to suck on a bar of soap.)
  • What no one should act like: “North end of a Southbound mule . . . “
  • When it rained and the sun was out: “I reckon the devil’s beating his wife.”
  • When he’s ready to go: “If you’re waiting on me, you’re backing up.”
  • On his way out: “Kids, I’m gonna do for you what the devil won’t.” (Meaning, “Leave you.”)
  • When befuddled: “I ain’t got no more idea than a billy goat what that thing is.”
  • When a bug hits the windshield: “Whoa. He won’t do that again.”
  • Every Sunday after preaching: “Kids, I looked all over that whole church this morning and I didn’t see a single woman as pretty as your mama.”
  • On decision making and life in general: “Everything of value requires some sacrifice.”

What are some things your dad says or said?

 

 

 

By Aileen MItchell Lawrimore

Aileen Mitchell Lawrimore is a mother x 3, wife x 35 (years not men), minister, speaker, writer, retreat leader, and lover of beagles and books. She has a lot to say.