My dad fancied himself to be the champion domino player of West Texas. He played his father-in-law, who Daddy claimed was really good, and anyone else that would play. He and I had played some and it was always fun. He usually won but it was a game to me.
On one visit, he wanted to play a game. I agreed.
I won the first game. Daddy immediately challenged me to the best of three. I didn't realize what was going on. As we played the second game, Daddy became disgruntled over the way it was going. I was far ahead and he couldn't get enough points. When he realized he never would get enough points to win that game, my light-heartedness irritated him and he lashed out.
I still didn't realize what was going on. I had time with my dad and I was happy. I was just playing to spend time with him.
He lost and immediately challenged me to the best of five. He was being really ugly about it. Then I got it. He was angry with me for beating him and he was becoming a sore loser. He wouldn't listen to reason and continued with his verbal abuse. I was in my early 30's at this time and beginning to come into my own in some ways regarding him. I didn't want his abusiveness.
I let him know up to that point I hadn't been serious about it at all and why. He was beyond reason. I informed him he was going to lose the next game and quickly because I was then serious. It was not just a game. It was a challenge to play for keeps.
He had never been beat so badly so quickly. He was clearly very angry. He didn't say a word to me. He packed up his dominos and we never played again. Dominos were never mentioned again.
My dad could find no pleasure in the accomplishments of his children. He could only find pleasure in himself. While that is sad, I am so glad my Heavenly Father finds pleasure in me. That is a source of joy.
On one visit, he wanted to play a game. I agreed.
I won the first game. Daddy immediately challenged me to the best of three. I didn't realize what was going on. As we played the second game, Daddy became disgruntled over the way it was going. I was far ahead and he couldn't get enough points. When he realized he never would get enough points to win that game, my light-heartedness irritated him and he lashed out.
I still didn't realize what was going on. I had time with my dad and I was happy. I was just playing to spend time with him.
He lost and immediately challenged me to the best of five. He was being really ugly about it. Then I got it. He was angry with me for beating him and he was becoming a sore loser. He wouldn't listen to reason and continued with his verbal abuse. I was in my early 30's at this time and beginning to come into my own in some ways regarding him. I didn't want his abusiveness.
I let him know up to that point I hadn't been serious about it at all and why. He was beyond reason. I informed him he was going to lose the next game and quickly because I was then serious. It was not just a game. It was a challenge to play for keeps.
He had never been beat so badly so quickly. He was clearly very angry. He didn't say a word to me. He packed up his dominos and we never played again. Dominos were never mentioned again.
My dad could find no pleasure in the accomplishments of his children. He could only find pleasure in himself. While that is sad, I am so glad my Heavenly Father finds pleasure in me. That is a source of joy.
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