Daddy…Daddy…Daddy…
I have heard those words spoken in rapid succession a
thousand times and yesterday I came close to hearing them again. When my oldest son was small, he would say
Daddy… Daddy…Daddy… can I, Will you, please let me…you get the picture, but one
time we were having a garage built and they dropped off a big yellow backhoe the
night before they started the project.
When my son got home from pre-school and went out the back door to play
on his swing set, there it sits. He was infatuated
with construction equipment and he had all the Tonka toys that were ever made
filling his little sandbox.
He shouted
at the top of his lungs, “DADDY…DADDY…DADDY…THANK YOU SO MUCH, It’s what I
always wanted, my very own big boy yellow tractor…THANK YOU” along with a big hug around
my leg. Now I was in a dilemma, what to
say and what to do. I told him I only
had enough money to buy it for one day and it had to go to another little boy
tomorrow. I was his hero for at least that
night. He played and played and has the
best time pretending to drive his big yellow tractor.
Yesterday we let the chickens out of the coop for the first
time. It was a big event for them and
for us too. The chickens were in the
barnyard picking and scratching and having a big time. They are in their own little barnyard that is
protected by fencing from the sides and from above. We have hawks and owls that will get them if
given the chance so I built it well just to make sure they are safe.
Here she came running as fast as she could, she was on a
mission, and she saw something she wanted.
Annie had seen the chickens in their barnyard and was so excited and for
one small moment, I could hear those words Daddy…Daddy...Daddy…Thank you.
The look in Annie’s eyes and her hopping and
skipping and turning in circles told me I had made her day. She would look from the side, then look from
the back and wiggle on the ground for a closer look just to make sure she didn't miss any movement. It didn't seem to
bother the chickens but it made Annie’s day.
Gabby saw the hullabaloo and wondered what was going on and
came for a look see herself. She watched
for a few moments but soon lost interest and moved on. My other surprise came when Molly came for a
look see too and shown interest and actually hopped, skipped and pranced and became
excited when they would move.
It was a grand
day and everyone was happy except when I told Abbie that she could not hurt the
chickens or play with them because they will bring us food. From the back of the barnyard, I heard a
voice “FOOD”? Dutchess, we have had this
talk before and remember it’s not for you, it’s for all of us. “When will they bring it…I’m hungry now, what
kind of food will they bring”? Dutchess…that’s
enough
All in all, it was exciting to see Annie happy with her new "toys" and for a brief
moment it was nice to have thought I heard Daddy…Daddy…Daddy... can I…
I love you son...
