The fact that I saw, Tall Stack the moment she was born, and the fact that she is a much prettier version of me is enough to prove that I am her father. But, what really sealed the deal was, last Saturday, she won a goldfish at the school carnival and named him, "Frank" All of the other neighborhood kids named their fish traditional names like, Rainbow, or Bubbles. Nope, my kid named hers, Frank. I love it. I find a lot of humor in giving animals, people names. So Frank was just perfect.
We all remember being nine. The anticipation and excitement of tossing that ping pong ball into the yellow cup of water and winning that cute little goldfish. You can't wait to get him home and into that bowl. You can't wait to feed him and watch him grow. Such high hopes we had, didn't we?
Reliving this experience as the parent, knowing what the end result will be is a pretty uncomfortable place to be. As if some sick and painful right of passage that we cannot avoid looms on the horizon. We pray to God that that ping pong ball will bounce off the rim of that cup and end up on the ground. We hope that the face painting booth next door will divert the kid's attention. Of course this prayer on this day is answered. It just isn't the answer that we were hoping for. The look on her face when she won, Frank was priceless. She was so excited and couldn't wait to get him home. The Boss and I gave each other that look. We agreed without words to let this blissful moment commence without warning that within days, 3 at the most, we will be conducting a tearful ceremony over the toilet in the downstairs bathroom.
3 days came and went. Frank continued to do laps in his bowl as the rest of the neighborhood fish were dropping like flies. He has the heart of a lion, I thought. He is going to defeat the odds. 4 days and still going strong. "You are a warrior, Frank." I actually said this to him through the glass although I'm sure he didn't hear me over the swoosh of the water streaking past his head as he circled the bowl with lightning speed.
Day 5 was met with much different results. The laps around the bowl had ceased. The interest in life was gone. The offers of food, ignored. I was there when, Frank gasped his last breath of Target brand distilled water. The boss and I agreed that we must get rid of him before, Tall Stack got home from school.
"Who once came from the sea, must return to the sea." These were the words I spoke as I pressed the brushed steel handle of the downstairs toilet. And just like that, Frank was gone.
It's these moments of parenthood that make us appreciate our parents a little more. They make us love our kids a little more. And they make us wonder what lessons can be learned about life and death. Does surviving a mildly broken heart really make us stronger? I hope for, Tall Stack's sake that it does.
This is one of (unfortunately) a number of broken hearts for Tall Stack. With the help of you and "the Boss" she'll be just fine :)
ReplyDeleteHave no worries we are giving away fish at Makena's 2nd birthday party...Tall Stack will be revived and so will Short Stack! Can't leave her out! See you Saturday!
ReplyDeleteBrings back my own memories of winning a goldfish. Mine was called Sammy Goldfish jnr. Lasted two days and we buried him in a local park. At least that's what my dad said. I suspect he took the same approach as you.
ReplyDeleteParenthood is indeed a rite of passage...crammed full of problems that have no correct answer. But you and The Boss seemed to have pretty much figured it out.
ReplyDeleteWe buried our gold fish under a new plant so we could remember him. Not only did I have to deal with the goldfish...but also hamsters, bunnies, cats and stray dogs...good luck...but I think you and The Boss can handle just about anything...
ReplyDeleteWell, It's easier to face an empty bowl, than a somewhat identical fish trying to be the original... Guess who did that to her minions :}
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving :}
ReplyDeleteWell I never really won a fish but yeah I remember having a pet fish at home when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I simply enjoyed watching her when she made circles in the water , loved giving her food and appreciating her beauty . It had a very nice color something like orange and gold mix . However as we all know fish doesn't last long , it died don't remember how and when.
ReplyDeleteYour Child's Aptitude
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Carnival Goldfish usually die because they are not being properly taken care of. Usually they will become diseased when they are kept all together at the fair, and that's why they die. Otherwise, they die from being kept in a bowl at home. Goldfish can not be kept in bowls! They just can't! A goldfish makes alot of waste, and if they are in a small bowl the water will become very dirty, and the fish suficates. I started my carnival goldfish in a 3 gallon tank with a filter, then moved on to a 30 gallon tank, and to this day he is in a 55 gallon tank with one other goldfish. He is a year and one month old.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the next fish! Just remember to at least get a filter. :)