A Proud Daddy Moment

Journal Entry August 06, 2010

In my life I have accomplished a few things for which I was proud, personal accomplishments mostly, some a little more public; nothing big in this world but big in mine. Today, though, was the proudest moment in my life so far.

It is “rock star” day at Carla Rose’s day camp. All the kids are supposed to dress as rock stars and the day’s activities will be so themed. Because Mom leaves to work earlier than Dad, I am left to transform my daughter into a rock and roll diva. An avid (voracious) fan of the Disney Channel my daughter set the bar high. I know, when she looks into the mirror, she expecting to see Hanna Montana or Demi Lavato looking back at her.

Early this morning I rummaged through Carla’s clothes pulling out anything that was remotely rock star-ish. I put it all in a pile at the foot of her bed hoping for inspiration and a lot of luck. As I began to dress her the outfit began to take shape and she was pretty happy with it. It consisted of various items she already had and most of it she wears on a regular basis, just not all at the same time: Purple silk scarf, neon green plastic cross, black boots, black leggings, 2 belts loose around the hips, bracelets and sunglasses. I even applied the lipstick. As she scrutinized my work in the mirror Carla asked me, “What rock star do I look like Dad?” She’s savvy enough to know she didn’t look like anyone she has seen on TV so I said, “Daddy saw a singer who looked just like this on MTV when he was in college” and that was good enough for her. It’s nice to know that she still believes everything Daddy tells her.

But the proud moment came when I dropped her off at day camp. When she walked in you would have thought she was a real rock star. All the kids gasped, oohed and aaahed as they rushed her asking here where she got this and where she got that, telling her how awesome she looks…and Carla handled it all just like a rock star, with poise and patience and just enough humility so as not to appear corny or insincere. She was loving it all. I could feel my grin touching my ears as I watched Carla with her friends all around her. I had won the critical acclaim of a bunch of 6 and 7 year olds and made my daughter happy at the same time. I have never felt more proud of myself than at that moment. Some Dad’s build skyscrapers or fly jets; some save lives as doctors, or policemen or firemen. This dad turned his daughter into a pretend rock star for a day and life couldn’t be better right now.