Father Knows Best

My daddy was a wonderful guy.  I absolutely adored him.  He saw that I had everything I needed....and enough of my wants to make me appreciate them.  We were not rich by any means....we were blessed.....I just did not know it at the time.  My friends all had things I didn't and wanted desperately....homemade and hand-me-downs were a major part of my vocabulary....and wardrobe.  One year, near my birthday, after having watched the comedy show Laugh-In, I asked my daddy for some go-go boots for my birthday.  I learned really fast never to do that again.  I had never seen my father go into such a snit over a pair of shoes.  "Daddy," I whined, "All the girls are wearing them."  To which he replied, "And if all the girls jumped off the Tampa Bay Bridge....would you be joining them?"  I truly was shocked.  This man was the love of my life....and he was denying me a basic need want.....white go-go boots.  I cried....and even my tears did not move the man....he responded firmly, "This is a Christian household and I will not have my daughter parading around West Palm Beach like a common hooker."  I was old enough to know that the hooker he was talking about had nothing to do with fishing....and knew I had better leave this one alone.  The vein in the left side of his neck was standing up....and his caterpillar eyebrow on the right side of his face was raised.  This was serious....so I began to back paddle and changed the subject....rapidly.  I gave up my dream of a cute little neon striped knit short dress (mini skits were popular then) and a pair of go-go boots.  Daddy bought me a pair of Weejuns with tassles instead....they were sturdy and sensible shoes.  Fast forward to the 90's.  During a time of pro-ration at the school our faculty had a Faculty Follies to raise money for the school.  The teachers put together a revue for the kids on the last day of school before spring break and then redid it that night for the community.  Costumes for one of the acts included go-go boots.  One of my fellow teachers had a pair of navy blue ones....in my size....and she let me try them on and wear them awhile.  You know...they were terribly uncomfortable...so knowing my daddy was right about the things...I traded them back to Leigh and slipped into my Weejuns....with tassels....and continued practice.  I guess Father Really Does Know Best huh?