racked with guilt
this evening i did the thing that is cardinal sin number one in our family: i asked my dad for some money. now, when i say cardinal sin, i mean all my other siblings have taken money from him and never returned it. happy little sinners they be. i, on the other hand, feel racked with guilt and dishonour and taint (is that a noun? it is now) at the very thought and have done for most of my life.
also, in my defence, i didn't think that was what i was doing. i thought i proposing a trade: an airfare to australia for g in exchange for him doing a couple of weeks labour on dad's property. i also prefaced my query with every kind of get out clause imaginable (say no, really don't feel obliged, if you think this is inappropriate just say so).
he went silent on the end of the phone.
oh la.
now he says he is thinking about it.
oh la.
i have also just spoken to my england sister (as opposed to australian sister and sanfrancisco brother) and found out that not two weeks ago she borrowed £2000 from my dad on the understanding that she would work off her debt by working on his property when she is there with him over christmas (she got his frequent flyer points as a belated wedding present).
so i expect he sniffs conspiring.
how is it that parents can make us feel so terrible even at 10,000 miles?
in happier news, it is a source of constant delight to me and 1stB that every time 2ndB sees a picture of a frog or a monkey in a story book she points at it and says "Daddy".
also, in my defence, i didn't think that was what i was doing. i thought i proposing a trade: an airfare to australia for g in exchange for him doing a couple of weeks labour on dad's property. i also prefaced my query with every kind of get out clause imaginable (say no, really don't feel obliged, if you think this is inappropriate just say so).
he went silent on the end of the phone.
oh la.
now he says he is thinking about it.
oh la.
i have also just spoken to my england sister (as opposed to australian sister and sanfrancisco brother) and found out that not two weeks ago she borrowed £2000 from my dad on the understanding that she would work off her debt by working on his property when she is there with him over christmas (she got his frequent flyer points as a belated wedding present).
so i expect he sniffs conspiring.
how is it that parents can make us feel so terrible even at 10,000 miles?
in happier news, it is a source of constant delight to me and 1stB that every time 2ndB sees a picture of a frog or a monkey in a story book she points at it and says "Daddy".
posted by spindleshanks at 9:57 PM
5 Comments:
ahh...Daddy Monkey. It makes me smile to think of it. And...what is this thing you speak of where G goes to Australia? Where are you in the midst of this? Is it grounds for shrieking?
shrieking currently premature og - i have a little plan that maybe we could all come at easter before 2ndB reaches the dreaded 2 and thus 3/4 of an adult air fare. but it is by no means certain -
a. dad may so no
b. we still can't really afford it
c. we may have someone coming over from malaysia to see us at easter so have to be here.
d. am scared to shriek in case i jinx it.
e. but wouldn't it be japes
f. small muffled shriek
g.xxxx
As long as 2ndB doesn't point to money and say "Grandpa" in his presence, surely he'll happily fund the wider family downunder! What a great opportunity for him...not to mention us!
xxx
This really struck a chord...my beloved stepfather would always say is this going to be a loan, a gift or taken out of your inheritance. And I always felt like a total creeping worm for asking. When he died, my share of his estate nearly choked me with guilt and sadness.
This really struck a chord...my beloved stepfather would always say is this going to be a loan, a gift or taken out of your inheritance. And I always felt like a total creeping worm for asking. When he died, my share of his estate nearly choked me with guilt and sadness.
Hope the trip happens :)
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