Watch Your Eyes and Live Happy

I think it is very well documented by this point that I am very close with my whole family. There are so many things about life that I value very highly, but there isn’t anything close to my relationship with my parents and sisters. When I was home this weekend, I played a little golf with my dad. Maybe not as much as we should’ve, but we played and walked along talking like we usually do. These conversations are frequent and it wouldn’t be a day on the course without them. We were talking about our friendship and the varying levels of his parenthood. Where is the line between being best friends and him being a parent? He told me a story about his dad and how he also viewed him as a close friend. One time, when his dad told him he wasn't allowed to do something, my dad said, “So, now you decide to be a father?” He said that was a huge regret in his life. He tried telling my grandpa over and over again that it sounded wrong and he didn’t mean it the way he thought my grandpa perceived it. I’ve never said anything like this to my dad that I can remember, maybe I have, but I’ve definitely thought it. How could you not? If Keegan and I were buddy-buddy and then he started telling me what I wasn't allowed to do, I’d be furious. It feels like the same thing, but then again he is my dad. He is supposed to keep me safe and not let me do stupid shit. I don’t feel like this with my mom. My mom and I are very close and I’d still consider her one of my best friends, but she knows how to draw the line better than my dad. Sometimes it feels like my mom is a single parent with four children to me. If my parents read this, which I think they are the only ones who do, I know they know all this. None of it is meant to be hurtful or anything of the sorts, it is all meant to be a compliment. As I am writing this, I texted them to ask if it was okay to write. My mom responded instantly, “lol”. The story I really want to tell in this post is the things I’ve learned coming into adulthood and trying to take what lessons I’ve learned from my parents. The things they did to keep me safe and to make sure I take care of myself. There are things I’ve heard since I was a little kid that pop into my head every time I walk around the city, am with my friends, or just alone in my room. The first thing is to watch your eyes. If you go on a hike with my dad or even just walk around anywhere and there are low-hanging trees, you get told “watch your eyes”. After he says it, he’ll break the low branch to make sure it doesn’t poke anyone else’s eye out. I feel like this is an obvious thing to point out. Nobody wants to get their eye poked out, but without failure he always says it. I can hear him say it when I’m alone with headphones in. One stupid mistake and there goes your vision. Stay safe and protect your eyes. Simple. The second one is when he slams his arm in front of you when you cross the street. This one has become more common now that he comes to the city every weekend. I know I’ve only lived here for seven months, but I’m pretty confident crossing the street. Sometimes I might not look both ways, but in New York it is slightly different. There is a flow to the city. The one thing you wouldn’t think about constantly is the bike lanes. Those fuckers come out of nowhere and try to take you out. My dad always leads the way and slams his arm in front of you while he checks the ongoing traffic. Every time I tell him, “Dude, I live here now, I get it,” but every time I cross the street by myself, I feel his arm slam in front of me and I check the bike lane. These are two simple checks for safety everyone does, but he takes them seriously and says them to me like I’m still five years old. I love those little things, and he has a million of them. We call them “Smokes-isms”. I could make a list that was almost infinite. My mom doesn’t really have the same kind of sayings. She isn’t as repetitive with her simple advice, but I found a way to break down what she says into one main theme. Do what makes you the happiest you can be. I feel like people are reading this thinking “Max, no shit your parents tell you that stuff, everyone’s parents do.” I don’t care. Fuck you and fuck off! My mom’s advice is something she lives by herself. She does things that make her happy. She takes care of herself in a multitude of ways. She watches out for herself while taking care of her four children. I want to live like my mom. I want to be as loving as her. I want to be as positive as she is. I want to live by her advice. I love my parents and I’ll think of their small, but large advice as long as I’m here. Hopefully Friday’s post is more upbeat than this. I know people say I’m boring when I’m serious on here. Happy Wednesday, everyone!