Daughter
&
d
a
D
Dcuns
by Patrick and J.L. Hempfing
we play, whether it’s basketball in the
driveway or Chutes and Ladders on her
bedroom floor.
C
ompetition. There aren’t
many people who enjoy
good, friendly competition
more than I do. My tennis buddies will
confirm this. A couple of them have even
said I should become a motivational
speaker because I like to talk while hold-
ing a tennis racquet. Just the other eve-
ning, one of my tennis friends was going
to call it a night but decided to play an-
other set after some friendly inspiration.
With three siblings, including both
an older and younger brother, I grew up
in a competitive environment. No one
hated to lose more than my older broth-
er, and he always challenged me to give
120%. Plus, speaking from experience,
an older brother never likes to lose to his
younger one.
My 10-year-old daughter, Jessie,
is becoming more competitive, but this
wasn’t always the case. On one occasion
when Jessie played chess with a friend
at school, she excitedly told me, “Rod-
ney took my queen.” Trying not to drop
my head, I told her it’s not a good thing
when your opponent takes your queen.
With that said, I’m proud of her for al-
ways being a good sport. Good sports-
manship matters more than winning.
Jessie and I shake hands after each game
52 WNY Family December 2018
Recently, I encountered a new com-
petitor and I must admit, she is a worthy
adversary. Her name is J.K. Rowling,
the author of the Harry Potter fantasy se-
ries. Over the past few months, my wife
and daughter have become addicted to
her novels.
Mattie, my wife, reads Ms. Rowl-
ing’s work into the wee hours of the
morning. Recently, I took a short trip
and left Mattie with a present, Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book
7). A few nights before I left, she had fin-
ished the sixth book in the series. When
I called her from my hotel room later
that day, she had found the book by her
bedroom pillow. I could feel her smile
over the phone. They say diamonds are a
girl’s best friend, but Harry Potter ranks
right up there with Mattie at the moment.
She’s going to have a lot more free time
when she gets to the end of the last book.
Then, there’s my daughter, Jessie,
who is a strong reader like her mom.
Also like her mother, she is enthralled
with Ms. Rowling’s work. Jessie has re-
peatedly encouraged me to read Harry
Potter, as, in her opinion, it would make
me a much better writer.
The competitor in me wants to say,
“Okay, Ms. Rowling, bring it on!”
However, after watching my fami-
ly’s eyes glued to the pages of her novels
these past weeks, I think I’ll just thank
her for inspiring me to improve my craft.
Ms. Rowling, “Do you play tennis?”
It’s time to get Jessie’s perspective
on competition. If J.K. Rowling and I
had a writing contest, who do you think
would win?
Jessie, Age 10
I like competition. Lately, I’ve be-
come more competitive. I believe my fa-
ther is a great writer, especially for just
starting his career in 2011. However,
J.K. Rowling is outstanding! She has
written lots of novels. They are loads of
fun to read. I enjoy her books very much!
My father’s writing is very touching to
the heart. Lots of other people can re-
late, while not many people can relate to
being a magician. The final score, da da
da da da da, J.K. Rowling wins. My dad
needs to keep up the good work. He’s a
close second.
The competitor in me doesn’t like to
lose, but a close second to J.K. Rowling
is encouraging. I will keep up the good
work, so look out, Ms. Rowling. For
now, in the name of good sportsman-
ship, I offer you my congratulations.
But whether I’m holding a racquet
on the tennis court or reading Harry Pot-
ter, one thing is certain ’tween daughter
and dad, I love my girl and my girl loves
me.
Until next month, remember to
cherish the moments.
Happy Holidays! Books make great
gifts, and since many of you have al-
ready read J.K. Rowlings’s books, why
not give mine a try? MoMENts: A Dad
Holds On, available on Amazon, won
Second Place in the Published General
Catch-All Genre of the 2018 Royal Palm
Literary Award Competition, a service
of the Florida Writers Association.
Patrick Hempfing had a 20-year profes-
sional career in banking, accounting,
and auditing before he became a father
at age 44. He is now a full-time husband,
stay-at-home dad, and writer. Follow
Patrick at http://patrickhempfing.com.
J. L. Hempfing, now 14, began writing
with her dad in kindergarten. Her cur-
rent hobbies include reading, writing,
playing clarinet and alto saxophone,
and dancing.