I Didn't Make Any Resolutions this New Year

I didn't have to. Other than the widespread economic woes, 2008 was just alright with me. My conscience is clean. I love my friends. I love my family/dogs. I have a comfortable home where people can come and put their feet on the couch. It's cool. Go ahead. It's Durapella.

I do know someone who made a resolution. Remember that big ass fight I had with my father? I visited my parents a few days ago, and whether or not it was my father's after-work tradition of sipping a couple shots of Southern Comfort or not, we had a real nice talk.

Not only did my father reiterate that he harbors a lot of guilt for voting for McCain, he also stated the following: "I know you think I'm a homophobic, and that disappoints you, but honey, it isn't true. I know that gays can be only what they are, and they are born with that gayness in them. I don't mind it, really."

Then again, he also gave me TMI about his testosterone levels dropping, etc.--again, there was Southern Comfort involved--but damn did I feel like I loved him more than ever. It was him really trying to make up for that nasty fight we had about race and gender and the whole lot. I know he feels really guilty, and I know he has been thinking about it often, though I told him I wasn't angry anymore.

We covered gun laws, the Moody Blues on vinyl, and my Dad's quiet disdain for the sexist commentary of his fellow male factory workers before I scooted on back to my own home. It is always a little sad leaving Mom and Dad's house at dinner time, though my reward was a bear hug and a thorough questioning about what sort of decongestant drugs might be in my system as I tried to navigate the dark and winding backroad home.

I guess that's the power of afternoon Comfort early on in the new year.