I Have Turned Into My Dad

It is official. I have turned into my father. He would have thought this was quite comical and he would have chuckled about it and shook his head at the same time.

When I was growing up, my dad seemed to visit with everybody wherever we went. Now, it probably wasn't that bad but sometime it seemed like it. We used to wait forever when we went with him. Now, I don't think it was forever but as a kid it seemed like it. Even when I was older he would visit or ask questions of anyone. I needed to get a red dress jacket for Cardinal Key. I hadn't had any luck finding one. We went to Cheyenne one day and I was trying to look for a jacket without much luck. I mentioned to my dad the lady that had just passed us had the color of jacket I needed. He turned right around and stopped her. I was absolutely mortified at the time but we found out where she had gotten the jacket. Now, I don't have any trouble asking questions of complete strangers but at the time I did.

This past weekend, I was 'volun-told' (a cross between volunteering and being told you will volunteer) that I was going to help the younger daughter at her table at the spring expo in Hiawatha.

After she set up her display we just had to wait for the people coming into the expo. We didn't have to wait long because there was a steady stream of folks walking through the room.

This is where the 'turning into my father' comes in. I spoke to everyone who made eye contact. I said things like hello, hi, how are you today, thanks for coming to the expo, etc., etc., etc. I visited about the weather, as well, to make conversation.

Now after a bit, I turned and looked at my daughter. I gave her my 'mom' look over the glasses and said "oops -- took over didn't I?"

She sighed and said yes but she said thanks for the help. She wasn't sure what to say at first so I was helping her break the ice. We both laughed and I said that I had turned into my dad. She laughed again and said "Yes, Papa was watching us and have a good laugh while he was drinking his beer. "

Yes, he would have chuckled, shook his head and enjoyed the fact I was visiting with everyone.

On a side note, I saw a brilliant idea on Saturday and I have to share. There was a group of mature ladies who were going through the expo and they each had address labels to place on the registration sheets for prize give aways. I thought that was brilliant since I have a lot of address labels that just sit on the desk. I am going to put some in my purse for the next time I have to fill out raffle tickets or have a registration for a giveaway to fill out.