Life with Daddy

  Yesterday,  I went to see my dad at the nursing home.  I hadn't been in a couple of weeks because the last time I went we had a very heated arguement.  You see,  he doesn't like to play by the rules sometimes. 
  The Oaks has implemented a new smoking policy and residents can only smoke between the hours of (i think) 9am and 7pm for safety reasons.  My dad did not like this one bit and to top it off,  they confiscated his lighter.  Well, in a bit of a temper tantrum, spoiled brat fit and a little bit of rebellion he snuck in to the kitchen and lit the stove and lit his cigarette and commenced to smoking in the kitchen until he was caught by the staff.  I got a call from the administrator and he explained to me the smoking policy, the reasons behind it and what my dad had done.  It was like getting a call from the principal at school when the kids were in trouble at school.  Well, the confronation between us was not a good one.  But,  I did get to use a line I have waited a lifetime to use.  He said that the staff was smoking and I got to say " I don't care what they were doing, you were caught breaking the rules".  How many times has he said almost the same thing to me?  How many times have you heard it from your parents?  I finally just had to walk away.  Both of us were too angry to have a decent discussion.  Besides,  he doesn't get it and I suspect he never will.
  I had been avoiding him and I know that sounds bad but until you know what Lea and I have been up against you just won't understand.  I love my dad but he has the ability to make me madder than anyone else on the face of the planet.  My dad can be very selfish and self centered and tends to think that everything is "owed" to him. Everything that is wrong or has gone bad is always someone else's fault.
  Well, anyway, I bit the bullet and went to see him.  He was apologetic, but I take this at face value. He's very good at manipulating people and telling people what he thinks they want to hear.  Lea and I are just immune to it.
  So, ya'll pray for us - Me, Lea and my dad.  Cause God knows I need it.  I am going to endeavor to not let him get under my skin and do what I need to do so that one day I can say that I tried my best to take care of him.
  This is just a glimpse!
  Hugs and Kisses!