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My Second Father’s Day

Baby Babble
MY SECOND FATHER’S DAY

By: Ashley Hoppe | June 1, 2023

As I am reflecting on my dad's second Father's Day, I remember what he did last year. On that day, he decided to not spend time with me and instead go play a game called golf all day. It seemed fun, he came back smiling and happy, however it was without me. This year I’ve heard rumblings of him wanting to hang out with me, but only for part of the day. He keeps talking about this golf game again, and keeps talking about what sports games will be on. I have learned a lot since last year and I know that my dad loves watching any game with a ball on the TV. His favorite is probably basketball, and I like that too. I am not sure if he plays that as well as watches it, but he sure acts like it. He is constantly trying to tell the people on the TV what to do and what they did wrong when they last had the ball, so I can only assume he is a professional at this, but I digress. All I know is that I am a lot more fun than I was a year ago and have learned so much, so perhaps I will get to go with my dad to play his golf game.

So, in the last year, I have started to run, whereas last year I was just laying around. My dad talked last year about taking me golfing while sitting in my car seat, but we never got around to it. Now that I am able to run, and especially walk about, I think I could even try to take a golf swing. I know that it involves hitting a small ball, getting into a cart, driving to that ball and swinging again. All to get the ball in the hole with the flag. However, I am not sure why my dad does this because according to him, he isn't good at that last part. I tried to tell him that it would be much easier if he forgot about the swing altogether and just picked up the ball and walked over to the hole and dropped the ball in. I have tried to show him as well, but he doesn't understand. I wish I could get him to see it the way I do, and I know this would be a great Father's Day gift because he would be winning. At the very least, we can run around the backyard together and I can show him how to pick up the balls and drop them around.

Additionally, in the last year I've learned how to throw things. I know my dad likes to throw things too because he balls up paper and throws it into the garbage can! I always try to take things out of that can, but I am told it is not safe to do so. I am not sure why it's safe and clean to put something in there but not to take that same exact thing out, but maybe that’s something I will have to learn in my next year. I basically just do what I see on TV and what I see my dad do. I take the balls and I throw them with one hand, and typically my parents both applaud me. So, I know that I am doing something right. I am not sure where I am supposed to be throwing these balls, but I do know that the point of balls is to throw them. Sometimes, when my dad gets home from work we go outside and take yellow balls and take turns throwing them. Maybe my dad is trying to get me to understand how they play the game on the TV with the balls and perhaps this is something that I will eventually do, and give him that gift for Father's Day.

During this last year, I also learned how to talk. I can say about four words that my parents understand, but I can actually say a lot more, they just don't know my language. I like to talk a lot, especially around my dad because I know he likes to listen to other people talk. He listens to something called a podcast from his phone, to this guy called "Big Cat." I am not quite sure if that's his real name, but if I learned anything from last year, it's that someone's name can also be Tiger, such as the golfer. So, because I know these things, I chat away to my dad, telling him about the day I had or the balls I have thrown or things I have picked up. It's rather enjoyable for me and my dad seems to like it because he listens intently and answers my questions.

One last thing we started doing together is riding our bike. My parents got me a little seat that goes behind my dad's seat on his bike. I wear a little green helmet and get strapped in and my dad rides our bike and goes very fast. I get to look all around me and feel the wind on my hands. I watch as we pass by other people, animals, trees and grass. It's one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend and I get to be close to my dad while we do it.

While I’ve learned a lot this last year, I think when it comes down to it, my dad will go golfing on Father’s Day with his Tiger like he did last year.

Ashley Hoppe lives in Novato with her husband Brett and their son Jackson. You can find her hiking or trying a new coffee shop. She’d be delighted to hear from you at ashlauwain@gmail.com.