The Kt we loved

The Kt we loved
"I just might hurt you if you don't move that camera." — Kt

Friday, March 25, 2011

Tiggers

As a parent, I've always believed that one of your jobs is to embarrass your kids. It's gonna happen to them enough when it matters, so inuring them to embarrassment deliberately at times when it doesn't matter just makes sense.

We always liked the Tigger song from Winnie the Pooh, and so when Kt and I were alone somewhere in public—like an elevator—I'd try to get strangers to sing the song with us. When she was little, she didn't mind this; as she got older, of course it was mortifying. It got to the point where I'd just mutter "The wonderful thing about Tiggers..." and she'd glare and hiss "Don't you dare!"

But I know she actually appreciated it. She never took herself too seriously, which is something else I strongly believe in. We're all just faking our way through: no reason not to try to have a good time while we're at it.

Anyway, when I came across the Savage Chickens strip below, I knew it would have appealed to her slightly warped sense of humor, as it does mine (original is here):

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Drivin' and Cryin'

I seem to be doing a lot of this. I'll be driving and something random will set me off. (Yes, I pull over until it passes.)

The other night I was returning a Redbox and drove by Baskin-Robbins. There must have been some sort of father-daughter event, because there were dozens of men in suits and little girls (7? 8?) all dolled up coming out. Reminded me of the Girl Scouts father-daughter dances, back in the day.

This on top of the fact that it was a gorgeous day for Shamrockfest, which Katie would have dragged a crew to, and I also caught part of an infomercial for a Time-Life collection called "Singers and Songwriters", containing about every great song you can think of from the 1970s. I ordered one of these collections for Anita a while ago, and seeing the infomercial again made me think of how we should be planning a family road trip, with Katie rolling her eyes at being "forced" to listen to these tunes -- but then borrowing the discs to rip 'em to her iPod.

I do want to remember my beautiful daughter for all of these things. I just wish I could control the "when" a bit better.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'

Another month passes, and I still can't believe it.

Wikipedia defines anomie as "a sociological term meaning 'personal feeling of a lack of social norms; normlessness'." And for me it perfectly characterizes the cognitive dissonance I feel when I look at pictures of our happy, gorgeous little girl.


Sometimes it's like I'm standing naked and screaming in a crowd, which rushes around me without reacting: Katie is gone, yet, incredibly, most things continue as if nothing has changed.

And in case you're wondering, there's definitely an element of rage involved, yet I have nothing to lash out at. So I continue, waiting for something to change...and listening to The Devlins...