Last night, the phone rang while I was in my bathroom, doing my semi-annual flossing of my teeth.
I carefully unwrapped my fingers, and let the minty floss dangle between my first and second bicuspid.
Caller ID on the cordless said it was my parent’s house. I pushed talk.
“Hello?”
“Hey Wil, It’s Dad.”
“Hi Dad. What’s up?”
“Well, I hadn’t read your site in a few days . . .” he said.
I immediately thought about those footlights from yesterday.
“Oh?” I said. “I wrote some stuff that totally doesn’t suck.”
“I know! Your mother was wondering why I hadn’t finished making dinner,” he said, “now she knows! I’ve been in my office laughing with you.”
I was speechless. My dad doesn’t make these calls. I sat down on the edge of my bathtub.
“Gee, dad,” I said, “Thanks.”
“When I listened –” He stopped himself, and said, “I mean, when I read what you wrote, I could –”
There was a long silence. I wondered if the phone had gone dead.
“Dad?”
“Yeah . . . sorry,” he said, puzzled and with great effort, “I’m getting choked up and I don’t know why.”
“Maybe my dad is proud of me,” I thought . . .
. . . but I didn’t say it.
“It’s like . . .” He trailed off. I felt like he was struggling to find the words.
“It’s like I can hear their voices. You’ve captured them exactly the way I remember them.” His voice was thick and distant.
Have you ever seen your father cry? You know how it makes you feel so . . . awkward? Like this invincible person is just as human as you are? I felt compelled to speak. The last time I saw my dad cry was at my grandfather’s funeral.
“Gosh, Dad . . .” I said, ” . . . thank you. It’s been really fun to write the past couple of days. It makes me happy when I recall that day. When I write about it, I get to be there again.”
“Well, it really comes across,” he said. His voice had returned to normal. “It’s really good, and I can’t wait to read more.”
“Thank you, ” I said, “I’m so glad that you called to tell me.”
“Me too.” Now I have to go finish dinner or your mom is going to kill me.”
He laughed. I smiled.
“I understand. Thanks, Dad.”
“I love you, Wil,” he said.
“I love you too, Dad.”
I pushed talk to hang up the phone, and pulled the floss from my teeth.
I faced the mirror, and looked into his eyes.
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Your dad is right. Your writing makes me hear Jonathan and Brent as well as see them in my mind. Great stuff.
Oh, and thank you so much for sharing that wonderful moment with your dad. Wil, you are so lucky to have him.
That’s awesome! And I agree with him, the new stuff is incredibly rich and a joy to read.
Wil,
Beautiful. As usual, your writing reaches places that corespond with everyone who reads it.
You manage to put into words things that I have felt, but had no way of expressing. For that, thank you.
Isn’t it funny how the praise from one person can mean more than that of a thousand of your website devotees. Bravo, Wil! You have earned the right to do the Snoopy dance of happiness.
You know, I almost enjoy the stories behind writing the book more than the book snippets themselves (almost). You’ve got enough great stuff here to write a book about writing a book. How very “meta”!
Dude, stop it. You are making me cry now.
You are beautiful, man.
“There is no more terrible instant of realization than the one in which you realize your father is a man – with human flesh.”
-From Dune, by Frank Herbert
Goddammit. It’s not 8am (am in London) and you’ve got me in tears!
You have an extraordinary talent for writing, and I’m insanely jealous. 🙂
This stuff is why I come here! Thanks, Wil!
I was touched. You should treasure these moments with your dad.
The only time I saw my dad cry was when I told him I had MS. I’m sure there would have been other times, but he was gone before I was mature enough to have achived anything in my life for him be really proud of me.
Bask in it!
No argument here. I’ve been here for a couple of years now. Sometimes, I see Wil at his computer writing, probably mumbling the things he types. It’s very visual. Keep it up.
As for dads cryin, don’t know what that could be like. Hell, my dad doesn’t even call my mom by her first name!
We tried to get him to say it; it took him a few moments. I think he was diggin’ for it.
There are few things in life as precious to a man then sincere praise from his father.
As others here have said, cherish it.
I drop by wilwheatondotnet every now and then, so I can’t say I have read lots of your posts.
However, from what I have seen I will say that your writing style seems to just keep getting better. I’m quite jealous.
I think I will be a regular reader from now on.
You dad echoed my thoughts as I was reading the piece. I could hear their voices. Good job, kid.
*sniffs*
Father/Son relationships always slay me.
Not literally though.
Awwww man! Wil, you are so my hero on multiple levels… I wish I could write stories the way you just toss off anecdotes. It’s not fair.
Well, maybe it is; I’m already good at three other things! -laughs- Looking forward to JAG, man.
When you untangle the knots, it’s interesting to see what comes up.
I’m glad you and your Dad have that kind of relationship. *s*
Wil, you are so in the zone these days. The wrting has been great, I’m totally looking forward to JAG.
It’s great to have your dad feel proud of you and your work. Totally cool.
Semi annual huh? Interesting.
Man, your comments link was broken and I had to work hard to post this.
I think your dad is probably having a serious nostaliga attack, dude, and feeling all the feelings that come with that. Remembering a good, happy time, remebering the disappointments and the promises of the future.
If your dad’s getting up in years like my did is, he might be feeling a lot of pride and sadness about the kids he’s raised and what he’ll miss when he’s gone. Remember how you said he played little league with John Ritter?
It’s SO GREAT that he called you and shared that moment. I don’t really have that kind of relationship with my dad. I always switch off “Cat’s in the Cradle” when it comes on the radio. Wil’s Dad, Mr. Weaton sir, if you’re reading this, thanks for being a good dad, and telling Wil you love him.
My dad did cry when Spock died in the Wrath of Khan. And when our cat died.
Just my $.02.
— Drake
D’oh! I misspelled Wheaton.
The only time I saw my dad cry was also at my grandfather’s funeral. When he did, I pulled him into a hug and told him that I understood.
Yeah, certainly awkward in every way because he was that pillar of manliess a son always tries to aspire to. But somehow, that moment made me appreciate both him and my grandfather more.
I know you don’t get to WWDN, dad, but I’ve missed you horribly since you’ve had to move to Cincinnati. Come home for Christmas. Come home to stay.
Ok, time to go wipe my eyes out.
I’ve noticed that my dad is getting a lot more sentimental as time goes on too… Sounds like it may be a common trait. Still, it’s also a sweet one, and it’s really cool that your dad decided to actually call you to share what he was feeling instead of keeping it to himself.
wOw…
Yes, I remember the first time I saw my father cry, Not only is it strange to see that the pillar of your life has emotions just like you, it is also quite a slap in the face because you sit and wonder… “How many times have I made him cry in the past?”
That was a good post… brings back the personal memories.
Donkey-shins. 🙂
this gave me shivers and tears in my eyes.
in a good way, of course.
Wil,
That was so awesome to read. Being a huge Star Trek: The Next Generation fan, I also really enjoyed reading about your night with Patrick, Jonathan, and Brent. I was wondering what the hell happened to those three. LOL Well, with Patrick and Jonathan, but not Brent. I thought that he was hiliarous in “Master Of Disguise”. Never thought I’d see the day where he’d be sporting a goatee. @_@ Anyway, it’s always a joy to come to your website, and read your stuff. You always keep me laughing, and I know where to go if I ever need a good laugh. 😀 Keep up the awesome work!!
Teary eyed here~ having never met my father, I live for stories of what they are supposed to be… Thanks for letting me “live and love” thru your experience(s).
SUICIDE…Today we found out that fellow actor Jonathan Brandis has died, possibly by suicide. I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize Wil and his ability to adapt and to change over the years; whatever may be his particular challenges and struggles in his life. Many actors, young and old fall by the wayside over the years as they deal with many different things in their life such as peer pressure, self-esteem and self worth. When Wil feels down and out or depressed he has this web site to post his feelings, worries or concerns. When he is happy and cheerful he shares that with us as well. Being so grounded must be a testament to the love and affection that he gets from his Mother & Father, Aunt Val, his Wife, Family and Friends, in addition to the support and friendship that all of his readers bestow on him and his work. I wonder if Wil would be a very different person if it were not for these people in his life and the fact that, on his web site, he is so open and forthcoming about his thoughts, feelings and concerns, on this day-to-day, week-by-week basis. Don’t Stop Wil, Don’t Stop Writing. Don’t Stop Dreaming. We need you and your words as much as you need us (readers). As human beings, we all need each other. Any Thoughts from Anyone? Wil?
Dammit, i’ve got a meeting in 7 minutes and i’m blubbering like the day i got married.
Keep up the great work, wil.
I was wondering what Wil thought about Jonathan dying as well, or just about fellow actors getting so run over by the “Hollywood” thing that they come to this. I’m so very glad that you are around Wil, and that you have not succumbed to so much of the bad that Hollywood has to offer. Thank you for that.
I could have sworn I heard your old man’s voice when I read that … you’re good for that, Wil. I heard Frake’s and Spiner’s voice in one of the latest entries, too.
🙂
“I faced the mirror, and looked into his eyes.”
That is one of the most beautiful lines I have ever read.
And Wil — if it’s ok with you, I want to share your revising process with my college freshmen in our writing class. Your expansion of this story is a perfect example of what I mean when I tell them to “really put me there” when they’re writing personal narrative.
So… mind if I use you to warp some young, impressionable minds? For educational purposes only, of course. (-;
Set phasers to “warp,” Chris.
I’d love it if you’d email me your student’s thoughts.
Wow Wil. I read this earlier today, and it really got the eyes watering. Especially the last line. I certainly enjoy your writing Wil, you have become a regular stop on my daily internet travels.
Thanks!
Wow, reading that made me remember back to my highschool days with my dad. Some of the best moments I can remember are of when my dad would tell me how proud he was of me when I did things such as qualify for the second part of the Math Contests, or gave a great tech performance. I really miss those days, and Dad.
once again…. we relate…
my father actually started telling me for he loved me for the first time in my life about two years ago… brings a tear to my eye every time he does it..
so did your story.. good one Wil..
Cheers
Exhibit # 964596049654 that Wil is a superb writer=this entry.
wil,
ya gotta stop it man… my boss already thinks i’m a big blubbering idiot. how do i explain that i am crying over wil wheaton’s blog?
seriously though, you are so lucky to have both your folks here and that they are so supportive.
your dad sounds like an awesome man. really makes me miss mine who has been gone from me since his 68th birthday, january 11, 1988.
keep it up, wil. the re-writes are terrific.
i am very happy to hear that you had such a good relationship with your dad wil because that is a very important and precious thing to have. i too have seen my father cry in the past and it is not agxactually a easy thing. my father also lost his parents in the past which wasn’t easy for him. but through it all he was a good father. you have spoken about a lot of memories about the past and about your childhood which sounds interesting. i had asked a personal question before but do not know if you had recieved it (for the faq, i mean). if it is ok to ask, did you ever get into trouble when you were a child, wil? if so, what punishments did you get or what was the worse punishment that you ever got?
Sincerely,
Mike
Seriously Wil, the highlight of my day, (other than seeing my man of course) is reading your site. I come in late, like midnight, take of my jacket and hang it on the stairs. Go to the kitchen, make myself a cup of tea, sit in front of the computer and switch you on. Your words come alive and turn into a scene playing in my mind. I SAW your bathroom, and you sitting on the edge of your bath whilst the water kept running behind you. I SAW your father, holding in the tears that wanted to fall with pride for his son. And when you looked in the mirror, I felt, I don’t know, I felt almost PROUD of you myself! I’ve come to this site for as long as i can remember, and gone through your transitions with you, and grown and learnt things about myself also. Through your writing in the last couple of months, I’ve sensed a growing confidence in you, and a happiness that comes along with it, in being happy with yourself. I’ve never written a comment this long or this personal, to you and myself. I just felt that you deserved it. 🙂
very touching…hmm…touching indeed!
The moment you and your father had….never forget it….
Rick
I have to say that I’ve seen my father get misty eyed a few times but it always effects me like you said “awkward”.
Your log entry really touched me. Lord its hard not to be the Geek and tell you what everyone else thats star struck says…LOL So I’ll just close on that STUPID note… keep writing!!!
Wil, your writing is touching. The rewrites, and your entries about the rewrites. I don’t know you but you are bringing me into this world of yours in a way that only heartfelt and truthful writing can. I am only one of many many folks saying this, but I have to say it anyway…
I can’t wait for more!!!!
-Karona
You know you really have a way of making people feel everything you are feeling. It’s a gift.
That post was touching, thanks for sharing that moment with your dad with us.
wow.
*smiling on the inside*
Neph
I almost cried at the end of that. Darn it! But I guess that means that you have a way with words. And I’m glad. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your vivid memories with us. I can’t wait to read more!
Dude, Wil. You probably won’t read this but I just want to say that your Dad is right on. I’m not an avid reader. I might read the sports page or the business section everyday but I only read it for the information and not for the creativity. When I read you I feel that I’m right there standing in the story you’re writing. It’s weird. I only get that way when i’m really immersed in a story that I have been reading for a while. But with your writing style I can just jump in and really get into it. You’re a very gifted writer Wil. Just like that kid who was in that movie that one time.
Jeff
Okay.
I cried.
No fair.
That was very touching, Wil…thanks for sharing that with us. It sincerely brought tears to my eyes and also made me think about the only time I’ve ever “seen” my dad cry.
Thanks again,
It is quite a thing to see your father cry. I’ve only seen my father cry once in my 16 years, and that brought *me* to tears. It seems like on some level all fathers are invincible, as you said. And when you see them break, it’s almost like they’re letting you down … but I guess that it is comforting to know that everyone (including fathers) is -only human-.
Dammit, Wil, now my eyes are blurry. I don’t know how you do it. You’re an amazing writer.
This piece about your father is one of the more powerful things of yours that I’ve read. Beautifully done.