THE SUNDAY CORRESPONDENTS

DADDY'S GIRL

That’s what a lot of daughter’s are. I should know I was one. From as far back as I can remember I followed my Dad around, he would take me to his allotment, we would dig, plant, nibble on peas out of pods, and roast potato’s on a bonfire in an old bin lid. Then at tea-time I would ride home in his old wheelbarrow. He then got into trouble from my Mum because I was filthy and I didn’t eat my tea. He would wink at me when my Mum’s back was turned and then go up to her, grab her from behind and tickle her until she was in fits of giggles.

He took me to the library and we read and chose books together, we took the dog for long walks, he told me stories of his time in the Middle East during the war. I imagined him on a camel wearing a fez or dressed like Lawrence of Arabia galloping through a sandstorm. I know now this was probably very, very far from the truth of what it was really like in that part of the world during the war.

I worshipped him and he revelled in it. My brother was never jealous of our relationship as he had his own time with Dad as they always went to watch the Leeds United home games together.

He loved music and always had the radio on. We had an old record player. We didn’t have many records; he had The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsy, Big Spender by Shirley Bassey and a few awful scratched Max Bygraves records. Then someone at his work gave him a box of old singles Dream by the Everly Brothers, Robot by The Tornados, My Boy Lollipop by Millie, Seven Little Girls (sitting in the back seat) by Paul Evans and The Curls, a couple of Elvis singles and a few Beatles too.

My brother and I pounced on these they became our first music treasures. Although the start of Robot scared me and my brother used to threaten to put it on when my Mum and Dad went out so I would let him watch what he wanted on the telly the little bastard!!



mp3 : Shirley Bassey - Big Spender

However this relationship changed when I was about thirteen. Shock, horror I started to grow up and as every father and daughter relationship has experienced, it’s gets a bit difficult to say the least. Dads don’t cope very well with their beautiful little girls start changing into young women. Girl’s of thirteen certainly don’t understand it and when they start to experiment with make up etc they can’t deal very well with comments like ‘you’re not going out looking like that’!

Suddenly your skirt’s too short, your heels are too high and you look like a tart! Dad’s change from a cuddly, lovely, will do anything for you doting daddy and light of a little girl’s life. To a grumpy git and someone who disagrees with everything you want to wear and do.

He lectures you about where you are going, who you are going with and what time you will be back! I know now that this behaviour change was born mainly out of fear. Fathers fear what is going to happen to their little girls, boys they may meet and what they will get up to with them. As they were teenage boys once they know what that means!

My Dad and I did come out the other side. My Mum played a large part in this, becoming mediator and peacemaker. After the terse teenage years our relationship got back on track big style and love as always survived that rocky road.

So Daddies of girls (yes, you know who you are) please be understanding and give your ‘little princess’s’ the opportunity to grow up and don’t worry too much, they have more sense than you give them credit for. As for you ‘little princess’s’, give the poor demented darlings a break, it’s only cos they love you!

mp3 : Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father Again

Red and Ginger, Sunday 28 November 2010

Sorry Folks....songs removed cos of DMCA notice