CHANGING PLACES
Deveraux Severin
I thought I had learned this lesson a long time ago, but apparently, I did not. I felt
compelled to change what had been working me for in the hopes of achieving respect
from my dad. “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” has multiple meanings, some of which I soon
would apply to my life. It seems that people are always trying to simplify matters.
Accepting a new challenge is always healthy, but when others are negatively impacted,
that is when it becomes a problem. Reminiscing on my early adulthood, nothing was
more important to me than impressing my father, and since cooking was one of his
passions, I sought to make him proud of my culinary skills.
Growing up and looking back, I recall many family picnics, gatherings, and funfilled times when each family member was responsible for cooking or bringing their dish
to the picnic. Even though I was responsible for the soft drinks, water, and cups, the
Barbeque Chef was the position I desired. My dad was a wonderful cook, and our
gatherings were the perfect platform for him to display his talent. One summer, before
our Fourth of July celebration, I had decided that I would surprise my dad and be the
Barbeque Chef on that day.
“Dad, I think it is time that I worked the grills, and you brought the beverages,” I
told him.
He was dismayed at the thought of my wanting to assume such an important role
for the picnic.
“If you are sure that you can handle it, I have no problems with taking it easy,” he
replied.
“Relax, I can do this!” I said confidently.
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“Are you sure?” he yelled with a shocked look on his face.
“Of course, I am sure. Why wouldn’t I be? I cook all the time!” I replied.
“All right, but if you need anything, I am here to help you; that’s not a problem,”
he said uncertainly.
“Dad, it’s time that I show everyone else that I am the next Iron Chef! I replied
arrogantly.
Little did I know that it was more difficult than I had imagined. A sense of panic
began to sweep over me. Even though I had literally forgotten everything my father had
taught me, I could not display my true feelings. Knowing which meats to cook first,
which meats cooked the fastest, and how to use effective time management had all eluded
me. I thought for a minute and then realized that this position was clearly over my head.
As family members began to arrive, the pressure of delivering quality food seemed
enormous. My dad would always tell me, “Pay attention to details, and if you fail to
plan, your plan will fail.” As if he were standing directly over me, I could hear his words
in my ears repeatedly.
The guests were arriving in large numbers, but seeing that I was nowhere near
where I should be in terms of the food preparation, my dad came to check on my
progress.
“I couldn’t just let you ruin the picnic for everyone,” he said with concern on his
face.
“Thanks, Dad, I’ll stick to the soft drinks, water, ice, and everything else that does
not involve cooking!” I replied with a sense of relief.
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“No need to rush, son.
In due time, you will have your time to be the
GRILLMASTER,” he told me.
My dad was always a man of encouragement. Even when I nearly ruined our
picnic, he was able to step in and save the day. Looking back on the way he reacted
made me think of the proverb, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” At no time was this any
clearer to me than at that moment. I was simply unprepared to take on the responsibility
of cooking for over a hundred people. On the contrary, my dad did not allow me to hang
my head in shame.
“Come over here and give your old man a hand!” he said in a comforting tone.
He always knew how to turn disaster into an opportunity.
When I first made the decision to be the cook, I remember thinking, “This is
going to be great. I get a chance to show my dad and the rest of the family what I have
learned.” To make my dad happy was all that I have ever wanted in life, and I was
determined to make him proud. Even though I did not succeed in becoming the next Iron
Chef, my dad was clearly proud of the effort I displayed. I learned from this experience
that if my dad had allowed me to continue, I would have ruined the family event, from
something joyful to something disastrous. Since then, I continue to apply, “If it isn’t
broken, don’t fix it.”
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