Lessons Learned from My Dad

Hello all, Nathan Petrelli here. When I last blogged, I was on my way to see Dad. I’m pretty anxious about it, remembering all the things that were said and done… The stressful times, the hard times, the times when murder was on the agenda… Back in the day, I always idolized good ole’ Dad; but as I got older, I became a little suspicious of him. I mean he was always whispering and hanging out with God, I mean Linderman. In fact, I strongly suspect he may have been involved in my little car accident, the one where my beard…I mean my wife was tragically paralyzed.

However, as I sit beside Tracey thinking of the epic Father/Son reunion in store for me, I can’t help but remember the good times, the parties, and the drunken laughter as we scoffed at the homeless. Yes, our little family used to be the happiest in the world; and the best looking family too, in spite of Peter’s girlie, nurse hair.

…but it wasn’t just the social parties and big family moments I remember so well. It was also those intimate occasions when Dad imparted wise fatherly advice to me: like when he explained to me the birds and the bees.

It was in those days I learned what plausible
deniability really meant, and boy was that a lesson I needed later in life… Most people assumed I learned that from Mumzie, but nope, it was Dad. He always said, he wished he had learned it before I was born??? I’m not sure what he meant by that…

Anyway….He taught me more than the simple birds and bees. I remember the time he took me fishing. We rented a cabin and left Mom and Pete at home. He said, “There are times in life when you have to leave the women at home.” I thought about pointing out that Peter was, in fact, NOT a woman, but I didn’t get a chance because Dad went on to explain, “When it comes to fishing, you can’t drag the old catch around with you. You have to bring your best bait and find a new fishing hole. It isn’t just about having the right bait either, you really need to know how to wiggle your worm.”

Wiser words were never uttered by man. To this day, my heart races when I think about everything I caught that day.

Dad was also the first person to introduce me to the ways of the stripper. He always said, “Don’t get carried away son. Always carry one dollar bills, there’s nothing worse then realizing you’ve shoved a hundred $20 dollar bills into a g-string that you’ll never get to take off. If you’re going to spend that kind of money, you may as well hire a prostitute…or get married.”

Yep, my Dad is the smartest man on the planet and he’s the reason I walk around with a wad of $1 bills in my pocket. When I think of all he has taught me, I feel I can’t hold attempted murder against him. I’ve learned so much, and I feel a little ashamed about the kind of family man I’ve become. For I know, he would never give up a child such as I did…

I might feel differently once we come face to face; but for now, I want to prove to him that I’ve learned the importance of family togetherness… and before you say anything… We’re Italian, unless I find out he was adopted… Then…ya’ know… whatever…