Posted on May 15, 2009 - by Andy McMahon

My Pops.

I don’t remember a lot of things about being a really little kid.  I remember our carpet was a weird color, (I attribute that to the 80’s)  I remember my parents got along (or seemed to get along) a lot better when I was little.  I remember catching flies with my sister, and I remember what my dad looked like.  I mean.  I remember very specifics about my dad.

My dad had a mustache, and always tried to kiss us, and we gave him a hard time about the scruff. My dad was always wearing a suit.  My dad always wore sunglasses, very similar to aviators, but a little less Top Gun and a little more… Miami Vice.  I remember that he always wore a belt. (Just wait til your dad gets home)  and I remember that no matter where we went, he demanded respect for all of us.  Best of all, I remember hearing change jingling around and knowing that daddy was home.

I have been thinking.  What do I want my little kid to remember as.  Should I have a beard or shave?  Should I keep my glasses or get contacts?  I think these kind of things stick with a person their whole life, and I want them to be good memories.  Should I start carrying around 3 dollars in change, so that whenever my son (ok ok, or daughter) hears the noise of change jingling, they think of dear old dad?

It’s rough.  What if we do have a girl, and I keep the beard.  What if my daughter grows up to be attracted to creeps with beards.  To top it off, some creep with beards AND tattoos!  *sigh* I don’t know if I can handle that.

What if I shave my beard, and my son grows up never seeing one, or being scared of them.  All because I shaved.  Jeez.  Maybe I’m over thinking it, but some of the earliest things I remember are the ones that stick with me, in my good memories.  I will never forget my dad’s mustache, and the sound of change jingling.  Or the smell of old spice and cigarettes. (and sometimes vodka or beer..) I love those things.  I want my child to look back and be happy. It’s a lot to think of.

What do you remember about your childhood that lights up your day?