So here’s the thing, my entire life my father was an unapproachable demigod. Brilliant, handsome – all the things I wasn’t.
The problem with Alpha dogs is they will always challenge another male, even their sons.
This meant losing on purpose the moment I could start winning. An outright challenge would mean losing him in the small capacity our relationship manifested itself in.
He was #1 until he wasn’t. Sickness and age wore him far worse than any challenger.
And all I can do now is pretend. Slouch when he’s near me to appear shorter. Put off my education to help him out. I am chasing windmills.
I love him far too much to hurt his self image.
I don’t think he understood fatherhood. Being an orphan, all he could do was present an idealized version of manhood.
And ideals don’t teach sons.
Fallible men do. Flomm is run by a fallible man. The Flommists outgrow him because he lets them – he wants them to. He doesn’t hide his faults – in fact, he highlights them. He teaches art through humanity.
Those aren’t just the qualities of a great teacher, they’re the qualities of a good man.
For what it’s worth: Steve Mehallo, Happy Father’s/ Father Figure/ Mentor/ Professor/ Flommist/ Friend Day.
I know Flomm and Father’s Day have an origin story. With mor detail if you donate on Patreon.
It’s corny, but I figure Father’s Day is difficult for him. It’s difficult for me too.
—louis hernandez
Flommist Louis Herdandez is obsessed with going Bauhaus and becoming The Machine. Preferably a drill press. Copyright © 2018 Louis Hernandez.
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