Although I hate to admit it, I am probably one of the least fashionable people you could ever meet. In fact, the stress associated with selecting the proper attire for an event is frankly gut-wrenching. Will I be under-dressed or over-dressed? The attire is said to be casual, but what is the definition of casual in today’s society? I actually attended a wedding recently in which one of the guests was actually wearing shorts. As if I was not already confused enough, this observation raised my anxiety on the topic to a whole new level.
More often than not, I am over-dressed to most events. But I guess it is better to error that way than the other. I recall years back being an Assistant Scout Master for my eldest son’s Boy Scout troop and having some friends make fun of the fact that I had to wear the uniform. Little did they realize that it was actually a relief at times since it eliminated the stress of me having to decide what to wear to various events. I know this self-imposed stress is silly by most standards and an utter complete waste of energy, but it is real.
Yesterday, I told Jackson to get dressed so that he could run some errands with me. It was at that moment that I recognized that Jackson did not inherit this same level of self-consciousness. Jackson came down the stairs wearing an old pair of camouflage shorts that were almost obscenely too short, cowboy boots without socks, his cowboy hat and a blue “I love Bacon” t-shirt which looked as though it was pulled straight out of the hamper. He was happy and ready to go. My wife reminded me of the picture she had sent me just days before of Jackson in an equally ridiculous outfit ready to go to the store.
I was so impressed with his self-confidence. Yes, I made him change but nonetheless, I was impressed with his self-confidence. He may lack the same fashion sense of his father, but he viewed himself as a fashion icon giving no care in the world to the opinions of the greater population. I must admit that I am somewhat jealous of my boy’s poise and lack of stress.
Husband, father, coffee connoisseur and lover of all things hockey. At 51 I sometimes wonder have I done enough. I have been married to my best friend for 30 years. She knows all my faults and loves me anyway, As a father of “almost always” perfect boys, I am always surprised at what life has to offer. It is messy, scary, thrilling, and always fun.
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