We watched Lucia Small's film, 'My Father, the Genius' last night. In many ways I identified with both the daughter and father. I guess being of similar generations in similar time periods makes for some cross-references.
My own Dad has always been so charismatic - unafraid and unabashed. A 60's California spirit, he loves nature. He even fancied making an ecological home partially underground with an upside-down ship hull for our roof (this notion was nixed in favor of the home we have - another story for another time).
However, there the similarities end. The man in the film repeatedly disengaged from his various families in favor of whatever new person or project took his fancy. My Dad is well into his final marriage of three, but he carries those of us from the past and present with him and turns us over frequently. The people in his life are his treasures. The things he has collected seem only important as reminders of people.
So, poor Lucia has to play to her father's ego to even get time with him. This is a great reminder (as if it was needed) - I am a lucky lady to have wonderful, loving people all around me - especially my Dad.
