Redemption Song
Posted by Arianne | Filed under Arianne
Second-to-last post, everyone!!! I don’t even want to think about leaving you all! *crying*
I’ve been terribly ill but wanted to get this post to you because I love my dad (as I’m sure you realize from previous posts). So keeping it short and sweet:
FATHER’S DAY! So, it just passed and I never know what to do or get for my father. I’m the queen of buying clothes but he’s so darn particular about certain things that I never take that chance unless he’s with me. I was thinking of something engraved, but it just wasn’t ‘it’ for me. I pride myself as being a champion gift-giver and it PAINS me every time his birthday, Christmas and Father’s Day comes around. I know he doesn’t need anything, but I get so much warmth in m’heartstrings when I give someone something they’d never get for themselves nor knew they even wanted. Something completely “them.”
Well, I came up empty-handed last Sunday but I still called and did my daughter-due-diligence and I know that’s all he wants: a phone call and an “I love you.”
*cue ‘awwwwwwwws’*
CUT TO MONDAY MORNING MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK:
“Hey Arianne! Congratulations, you’ve won a pair of tickets to see “Marley” this Thursday, June 21 at Open Roof Festival. Please reply to confirm your attendance.
Thanks!
WHAT?! I completely forgot I entered this contest last week. And I never win anything! Then it clicks: a sold-out documentary about Bob Marley is playing in the city. I still don’t have a gift for my dad. The only time I ask my dad to come to the city is to do renovations or something parental. And this is the man who got me into every music genre there is. Listen, there may be stereotypes that Jamaicans only listen to reggae but I can tell you right here, right now – I wouldn’t know Simon & Garfunkel if it weren’t for Daddy Dearest.
I remember his record (vinyl) collection as a child; from DeBarge to The Wailers, Madonna to Barry White, George Michael to the Isley Brothers. Our home was full of music…always. But my favourite musical memory is every Sunday, waking up but keeping my eyes closed and hearing Bob Marley’s voice flooding the house from the basement with the smell of breakfast seducing me in the kitchen (even at a young age, food and I were dating.) Like clockwork, I’d hear dad’s voice singing “Three Little Birds” at the top of his lungs walking directly into my room to wake me up. I always played like I was passed out but it didn’t last long.
These are the memories I cherish, so what better way to say “Thank you for being my dad and allowing me to be the woman I am today.” Music is a huge part of my life (my vinyl collection is no where near as extensive), to the point where I don’t know what I’d do without it. So tonight, my father will accompany me to the Toronto screening of “Marley” and though this event didn’t cost me a thing, it’s worth more than all the gold chains in Montego Bay. 
So Daddy, I know I’m a bit tardy with this gift but…Happy Father’s Day and I love you more than anything. I hope you enjoy your night.
A single gal who just turned thirty and a first-time home buyer, Arianne is trying to defeat the monstrous debt she accumulated in her twenties. “That debt is the result of my biggest and most dangerous vice: Shopping” says Arianne.
June 21, 2012 at 1:42 pm
How very thoughtful of you. I am too always in trouble when I have to pick something for my dad. He really does have everything and if not he just buys it. But now since I live thousands of miles away from my family, we sort of limit gifting to each other to once a year or whenever I manage to visit or if they come here (that’s very rare). Mailing gifts can sometimes be more expensive than the items in the box, so I hardly do that.
June 21, 2012 at 5:34 pm
THEY ARE SO DIFFICULT. Oh well, it is always worth it to see his face. We meet up in hour, so I’m still excited!
June 21, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Oh no, don’t leave us! I love your blogs as I love your sense of humour and you remind me of a younger, single version of me (but with a home while young and single, good for you!)
June 21, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Awwwwww!
Never too old to be daddy’s little girl!
June 23, 2012 at 9:31 am
It makes me sad that I won’t be reading your blogs anymore!!!! sniffle sniffle… I know there’s only one left. I’ve really enjoyed reading your blogs and looked forward to when your posts went up.
I wish you well in all of your future endeavours and wish you health and happiness!