In retrospect a possible useful service a parent can offer to a boy in his early teens is to accept the fact that the father can be a mirthful linguistic foil by him and his friends, a term to affirm needed distancing. I learned through some sort of grapevine inadvertently, that I was referred to by that diminutive set as Fat Elvis.
I had more girth at that time in the 60's than Elvis did, but showed it had more to do with the mirthful monikers applicable to the unworthiness of my hair, thinning but a feeble intent to emulate the singer
with my hair style at that time rather than my singing voice or any disreputable pelvic motion I attempted to display. I wasn't particularly dismayed by this description as I recall, because I considered the source. Besides, I had heard of the range of all the school teachers of that age group that had mirthful monikers appended which were litmus test indicators for whatever the perceived shortcomings this youthful entourage considered worthy of comment. Even bad press in those days was an acknowledge that you exist and are a looming presence. I just celebrated the fact that a little derision, particularly with your friends when bravado is needed , remains part of a important and necessary distancing process for early adolescence.
Elvis Presley and I were identical ages and Heaven knows there were worse labels applied to an aging parent than Elvis, fat or not. My case was quite benign and the simile was a step up for a plump and tuneless surgeon, however hapless in the eyes of the pediatric 5th column. Little did they realize the pleasure of comparison with one of the world's better voices and master of rhythm. As long as it was behind my back I could let it go happily and unacknowledged until now.; fifty years later. now the record is out. Like most conditions in life, if you wait a bit, in good humor, it gets better, The distancing becomes funnily redemptive and the relationship affectionately blessed.
I had more girth at that time in the 60's than Elvis did, but showed it had more to do with the mirthful monikers applicable to the unworthiness of my hair, thinning but a feeble intent to emulate the singer
with my hair style at that time rather than my singing voice or any disreputable pelvic motion I attempted to display. I wasn't particularly dismayed by this description as I recall, because I considered the source. Besides, I had heard of the range of all the school teachers of that age group that had mirthful monikers appended which were litmus test indicators for whatever the perceived shortcomings this youthful entourage considered worthy of comment. Even bad press in those days was an acknowledge that you exist and are a looming presence. I just celebrated the fact that a little derision, particularly with your friends when bravado is needed , remains part of a important and necessary distancing process for early adolescence.
Elvis Presley and I were identical ages and Heaven knows there were worse labels applied to an aging parent than Elvis, fat or not. My case was quite benign and the simile was a step up for a plump and tuneless surgeon, however hapless in the eyes of the pediatric 5th column. Little did they realize the pleasure of comparison with one of the world's better voices and master of rhythm. As long as it was behind my back I could let it go happily and unacknowledged until now.; fifty years later. now the record is out. Like most conditions in life, if you wait a bit, in good humor, it gets better, The distancing becomes funnily redemptive and the relationship affectionately blessed.
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