Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

On this past Election Day, I remembered what my dad always said. “Vote for the Italians first!” Ah, the wisdom of our fathers.

When my dad got mad he turned into a very religious person. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” Jesus sometimes was referred to using the middle initial of “H.” In my eight years of parochial incarceration at St. Clements school they never mentioned a middle initial. Dad also made many references to Hell and who should go and how they should get there.

It stands to reason that we sometimes talk like our parents because a lot of us became our parents.

My mom and dad live on in my heart, but especially when a certain circumstance makes me say something that they used to say. My father’s voice and his words of …. wisdom … comes out of my mouth. And when that happens I say “Wow, I haven’t heard that saying in years. It was something my father said. How do you like that?” Does this happen to you too? I’m sure it does once in a while.

I call it Daddy Deja Vu, and Mommyisms. Some of my friends shared the sayings they remember hearing growing up.

“Do you think there’s a money tree in the yard?”

“Turn off the lights what do you have stock in Edison?”

“Who do you think I am, Rockefeller?”

“Don’t make me take this belt off!”

Lay down with dogs, get up with fleas. If you don’t wipe that smile off your face I’ll wipe it off for you! As long as you live in my house you’ll follow my rules. I don’t care if everyone else is going. If they were all jumping off a bridge would you jump too? Stop ya bellyaching!

My father always used to tell me that someday my mouth was going to get me into trouble. When I’d start to get all nutty and nervous and crazy my father would say, “Slow down!”

How often did you hear “Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about.” If a parent was heard saying that today, they would be reported.

My mother would occasionally say, “I hope someday you have kids that treat you like you treat me.” Your wish came true mom!

Along with the sometimes cockeyed words of wisdom from our parents, we baby boomers also reaped many benefits. Safe steel cars, umpteen vaccinations and vitamins, black and white TV, and the best music ever.

It took me quite a while to finally finish one my dad’s favorite sayings, “If I take off this belt, my trousers won’t stay up!”

Today we hear these child rearing phrases: Good job of using your words! Do you have your listening ears on? Good Job! Good Job! Time out! Time out!

So now that I have become my father, I will enjoy being the dad of three grown adults, grandfather of two, and the guy whose favorite things are the clicker and the recliner. So … please … don’t make me get out of this chair!