Your Feathers Are Gone!!!!

One of the greatest feelings in the world is experienced when you get home from work and your daughter realizes you are there and she drops whatever she is doing to come running to the door to meet you screaming "Daddy's home, Daddy's home".

Last night, that experience was made even more memorable.  I have worn a beard for the most part since I was 15.  Obviously it was off during the Army and on other rare occassions.  Yesterday morning before work, I shaved my beard off.  When I came home, I rang the doorbell and heard Jasmine screaming - Ding Dong, Daddy's Home.

When I opened the door, she got quiet.  She tilted her head and stared at me for a second before somberly saying "You're home now Daddy", followed by another pause and then "you got the mail".  I reached down and took her hand and rubbed it on my face.  She still didn't understand why I looked different.  Then I told her - "Daddy shaved off his beard".

Her eyes got big and bright, a smile returned to her face, and she exclaimed very loud

"You're feathers are gone!"

Off and on, she would stare and make comments about my beard or feathers being gone but she got used to it pretty quick.

Alyssa on the other hand wasn't so easily convinced.

Normally when I come in all I have to do is look at her and she gives me her cock-eyed smile and waves her hands up and down indicating she is excited to see me.  Tonight was very different.  She just stared with the most concentrated look.

Everywhere I went she followed me and stared.  This went on for quite a while.  I even held her - she didn't crack a smile or give any glimmer that she knew who I was (other than not crying).

Then, while I was sitting in the comfy chair with the laptop I looked over at her and Jean on the couch.  A lightbulb when off in her head and she realized who I was.  She gave me the biggest grin you can imagine for someone so young.  She was very happy to figure out who I was and to have Daddy home.