Ricky Anderson: The Cobbler's Buddy

The Cobbler's Buddy

I have a lanyard for my work badge.

Evan likes to play with it. He calls it "Daddy's necklace".

The other day Jana and Evan came to my office to have lunch. Evan started begging Jana to give him "Daddy's necklace". Thinking quickly, she clipped the badge from his Sunday School class to his shirt. He
stuck out his chest with pride.

Evan just wants to be like me. He follows me around the house, intensely interested in whatever I'm doing - from dishes to taxes to restroom breaks.

He looks to me as his daddy, his friend and his role model.

I was sick the other day. I was lying in bed, miserable. He climbed up into the bed, laid his head down on the pillow next to me and placed his hand on my cheek.

"Hi, Buddy", he said.

Am I training him well? Do I encourage him enough? Do I set clear boundaries? Do I live up to the trust he blindly gives me?

My dad is the best dad anyone could ask for. He has very large shoes to fill.

Am I making my shoes big enough?
.

Comments (13)

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Daniel · 612 weeks ago

Love the introspection on display here. It's funny, but I never consciously set out goals or had some kind of kooky master plan for raising my daughter. I just did the best that I could at each point. I screwed up a lot, got mad too often, was afraid too often, held back when I should have stepped forward, stepped forward when I should have stood back. However, she has turned out wonderfully so far. She is honest and caring and fun-loving and enjoys her life. I have given to her all that I had and taught her about life and living with what I had to give. I think things tend to work themselves out. Sometimes, the more you plan and organize, the more out of control things can get.

2 replies · active 612 weeks ago

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 612 weeks ago

I definitely have a kooky master plan. How else will he grow up to be the world's first astronaut clown?

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Daniel · 612 weeks ago

Those would be some big shoes to fill!

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preachermatt 78p · 612 weeks ago

Those questions are important to ask. And to answer. Sounds like you might be doing a pretty good job.

1 reply · active 612 weeks ago

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 612 weeks ago

If I do half as well as my dad, I'll consider myself a success. Good to see you again, Matt!

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moyermama 38p · 612 weeks ago

Well if your goal was to make my eyes well up a bit - mission accomplished.

I watch how the boys copy our speech patterns, mannerisms, and other behaviours and mostly think - "not too bad," until they sit on one of their brothers' heads and fart, then I give myself a big pat on the back. I mean help the toddler with his shoes, yes, yes, helping a brother.

I'm sure you are already more like your dad than you think.

1 reply · active 612 weeks ago

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 612 weeks ago

I definitely try to teach him some funny stuff as well, Jan. It's only right.

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sissy · 611 weeks ago

You are a reflection of our Heavenly Father to Evan, just like dad was to us. You are a great daddy, and your focus on being intentional is awesome. Just remember to teach him the important stuff like "Wain't', "Hinneysaur", "AppleCookie, New Mexico", "Evan Assertain", "Photo Alblum", tortilla frisbees, full contact basketball, and happy gestating (for #2).

1 reply · active 611 weeks ago

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 611 weeks ago

Thank you, Laurie. That means a lot to me.

We had fun looking at your TX alblum this morning. Evan was thrilled.

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noclonejones 39p · 611 weeks ago

The biggest! And one of the kindest hearts of anyone I've encountered online, too.

My almost fifteen year old gives me wedgies, and my seven year old sometimes play spanks me. Am I doing it right?

1 reply · active 611 weeks ago

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 611 weeks ago

Thanks, Chad.

And you've had the cards stacked against you from the beginning. I admire the job you're doing with your kids and the effort you put into it.