Growing Pains

My dad used to let me watch wrestling with him when I was younger.   That was back in the day when professional wrestling was WCW, owned by Ted Turner, and WWF (now WWE), owned by Vince McMahon. 

Let’s break this down.  WCW came on from 8-11 on Monday nights.  WWF came on from 9-11 on a different channel, and my bedtime was at 9:30.  The back of mom’s chair faced the hallway, but my dad could see down the hall from his chair.  My dad and I had a secret “symbol” for when my mom was going to get up and walk down the hallway.  He would pull his ear, and I knew I needed to dash back into my bed before she caught me watching wrestling after bedtime.

I’m sitting here now, watching wrestling for the first time in about 7 years.  My dad still watches it somewhat religiously, but I have no idea what’s going on.  I’m just as eager as always, for some reason the soap opera aspect of wrestling gets me every time.  My dad however, is not as eager to explain things to me. 

Surprise! This post is not really about wrestling.  I mean, it is – but that’s not the point.  When did we pass the age where our parents didn’t get so agitated with us so easily?  Does it come with being an adult?  Why do my questions now become a nuisance rather than the cute little girl wanting to learn everything about what her daddy loves?  Can’t I be a cute young adult who so desperately wants that connection with her father again?

Early to rise, early to fall I guess.  A I am typing, without so much as a word, my dad gets up and goes to bed, and I’m stuck here, totally taken in by the storyline now (lame, I know) but no one to share it with.  (Anyone who knows my mother can only IMAGINE the things she is saying about my choice of entertainment this evening. 

I long for the days when my dad wanted to teach me everything he knew.  I remember the years when I wanted nothing to do with the stories and the lectures – and now I’d give anything to hear, “I walked uphill in the snow to school and barefoot the entire time!”

Isn’t it weird how you grow up and you’re whole outlook on what’s important changes?  My summer back at home has showed me how much I miss my parents – even their little quirks that annoyed me so much in high school.  Does this mean I’m a big girl now?!