Jamaica Kincaid Blog

Son by Spencer Darr
Wake up on time. Brush your teeth and shower. Remember to put on deodorant, but don’t get it on your shirt. That looks foolish. Brush your teeth and eat your breakfast. Remember 15 minutes of reading the bible every morning. Do your devotions and pray. Don’t do bad things and be kind to people. Don’t forget your helmet on your bike. Don’t forget you have to ride a bike to school because you’re too old to get rides from your father. Don’t be late for class. Don’t let me hear you didn’t turn in your work. Don’t get in trouble. Respect your teachers no matter what. Respect all of your elders. Don’t be tardy ever. Don’t sleep in class. Don’t loiter with your friends after school. Be on time for football. You don’t want to look dumb so put your pads on right. Listen to your coaches and give your best effort. Don’t slack off on your drills. Outrun your teammates. Don’t let your teammates down. Don’t let your father down. Outperform. Remember why you love this sport? Isn’t it the greatest to play the same position as your father? He’s proud. Don’t get caught on the bench this weekend like a loser. Clean yourself up after you practice. Be on time for dinner. This is how you need to hold your silverware. No elbows on the table. Don’t chew you’re your mouth open. That’s not how to eat in public. Clean up the dishes so your mother doesn’t have to. This is how to load the dishwasher. This is how you load the laundry. If you want to live in this home you will do your own laundry. Make sure you shower; your father doesn’t want to smell you. It reeks. Don’t forget to practice piano. This is how you play that chord. This is how you read that chart. Don’t forget. This is how I like to sit. Don’t slouch; it’s bad for your posture. Don’t forget you have youth group tonight. Ride your bike down early. That’s how you can help your community, that’s how you can give back. Don’t let me hear you were on your cell phone the whole time. You know your father knows the pastors well. You can’t stay out late. Don’t smoke drugs you hippie. Don’t drunk like a fool. Your father has enough to worry about. Those kids never go anywhere with their lives. Do you want to come out like them? When you get home get right to your homework. You’ve had a busy day but can’t slack off. You’ll have time to rest when you’re older. Don’t stay up late. Don’t try to watch the TV with the sound off. It’s easy to see the light creep out from under your door. Don’t forget to say your prayers as you go to sleep. You don’t need to speak them out loud. God hears your thoughts too. Make sure you watch what you’re thinking about, because he’s watching all the time. And don’t forget I’m your father and love you.