My dad was known for his strong opinions and certainty they were always right. His efforts to make sure his views became mine would turn into what felt like endless lectures to young me. I often foolishly wished he would just lash out at me with violence and get my torture over with. Thankfully he never did.

     In the last few months of his life, when a disagreement between Dad and adult me was about to escalate, he would unexpectedly surrender and comically say…”Whatever.” He’d let the argument go and move on with no animosity at all. Whenever it happened I would quietly laugh at myself and at this very different him.

     I have come to believe it was not by chance that we got a final opportunity to re-write the dynamics of our father-daughter relationship. To this day, everytime I hear or say the word “ whatever” I hear the humor in his voice and I find myself smiling. I never could have imagined a lifetime of disputes would turn into the warmest of memories to be cherished always.