Comments on Daily Struggles of an 81-Year-Old and His Daughter Articles Ripped Me to Pieces

I wrote a few articles regarding my interaction with my 81-year-old father. While in some writing platforms it went rather well, in another it did not. Some comments were horrific. They shredded me to pieces. The commenters bombarded me with accusations of being an inconsiderate, ungrateful, and spiteful daughter who does not appreciate her father. I ignored the comments since no one knows what goes on behind my closed doors, but I ended up deleting the articles to avoid any further commenting. I am a peaceful person and do not want any negativity to affect me or my writing.

I reread my articles to understand what I could have written that sparked such a reaction from some people. Frankly, I do not think they even read the article completely or correctly, hence their misunderstanding. Needless to say, Dad was livid with the comments and wanted me to respond accordingly. I did not though.

First, my father is aware of the articles written. Of course, I read them to him and asked if it was okay for me to write and publish them. My dad's reaction was of joy. He laughed at each article and even added a few things I had forgotten about! Plus, his eyes gleamed with happiness when I asked him if it was okay for me to publish them.

"Of course you can publish them. That’s fine with me," he responded.

"Thank you, Dad," I replied.

"Well, will I become rich and famous?" he asked.

"I don't think so," I replied while laughing.

"Then, what's the use?" he responded with a snarky tone.

He made me laugh at his disappointment of not becoming rich and famous over the articles. Still, until today, I laugh at his occurrences, and he laughs with me.

Just the other day I overheard a conversation he had with his friend (Angel), where he told Angel that his daughter (me) was getting ready to FedEx his ass back to Puerto Rico because he was being a stubborn old man. He was even laughing while he told his friend! I have to admit, that is something I have told him a few times. Well, not in those exact words but close.

"Dad, I am going to FedEx your ass back to Puerto Rico if you continue to nag me," I would say.

We still sit together outside, and he continuously nags me about the dead plant. I think he does it on purpose because he was laughing the other day when he mentioned it to me.

He continues to nag my son about drinking cran-apple cocktail juice. "You are an alcoholic because you are drinking that cocktail shit," he says.

And, he still asks for his glass of wine for dinner even though I tell him he will become an alcoholic like my husband and me I if he continues to drink wine (or Sake) with his dinner. He just laughs.

There is no bad karma or hurt feelings between us. We talk, joke, and love each other regardless of our disagreements. I am still perplexed by people's reactions. As a writer, I know I need to accept criticism and learn what are my limits. I just wish people would not assume what they do not know. But we all know that is not possible. We will never be able to please everyone. Oh well, it is what it is. My hope is that people read thoroughly before passing judgment because no one knows what stirs in the pot other than the spoon that stirs it (that’s a Puerto Rican saying which sounds better in Spanish).