This Sunday is Father’s Day. This holiday was first celebrated at the Spokane, Washington YMCA in 1910. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring our male parent, but it wasn’t until 1972 that it became a national holiday, thanks to President Richard Nixon signing it into law.
While there is an official Stepfamily Day on the books (September 16th), I wanted to take this opportunity to salute stepfathers. Why? Because that is the role my own Other Half played in the lives of my two sons. I came as a package deal all those years ago, with two sons, ages 2 years and 4 years, along with three cats and the usual amount of baggage from a recent divorce.
There were not many men who would want to take on a ready-made family, especially 20+ years ago. Other Half never blinked an eye in hesitation, not even when I told him I was no longer able to have kids. He welcomed my boys to his heart, along with me, and we wed just 17 months after meeting.
The U.S. Navy saw to it that he was gone a lot over the years, but when he was home he was there for all of us. There was the usual adjustments during the honeymoon phase, since there were extra persons to take into each consideration. Alone time wasn’t frequent, but when we did get it, we valued it even more.
My sons don’t call the Other Half “Dad” since their own father was always in the picture and active in their lives. But that doesn’t mean they care for him any less than their biological father. They consider him a friend and know that he has always been, and always will be, there for them if they need it. He has been there to share the ups and downs, wipe the tears, clean and dress the “owies,” and tuck them in at night.
When he speaks of Favorite Oldest Son and Favorite Youngest Son, he refers to them as his sons. I truly can’t recall hearing him ever call them his stepsons; if he did it was so long ago my memory has dropped it.
One of my proudest moments was watching as Other Half stood on the stage to be “pinned” by our two boys when he made Chief in the Navy. Both boys were teenagers at the time, and they were so honored that he wanted them to pin his new rank on his collar. Many folks ask their spouse or a military mentor to do the honors. Other Half, however, did not hesitate in stating who he wanted to share the moment with him.
So this Father’s Day, I salute all stepfathers who stepped in and helped a woman raise her children when you could have easily kept on going. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. While cruising the internet I found this poem I would like to share with all of you:
To My Stepfather
I just want to say: Thank you for all that you have been;
For giving of yourself much more than would a lot of men;
For coming up beside my mom, and standing there for her;
When she was lonely, hurt and weak, a little bit unsure;
For trying hard to shield her from life’s worries and alarms;
For taking on a father’s role, and opening your arms;
For taking us in as your own, and giving us your life,
And loving with a father’s love the children of your wife;
For being generous and good; For being kind and nice;
For all the love that lies behind each little sacrifice;
For all the times you’ve spent with us, and all the times we’ve had;
For all these things, and more, I say, “I’m proud to call you ‘Dad’.”
~ Gerardo Campbell
While there is an official Stepfamily Day on the books (September 16th), I wanted to take this opportunity to salute stepfathers. Why? Because that is the role my own Other Half played in the lives of my two sons. I came as a package deal all those years ago, with two sons, ages 2 years and 4 years, along with three cats and the usual amount of baggage from a recent divorce.
There were not many men who would want to take on a ready-made family, especially 20+ years ago. Other Half never blinked an eye in hesitation, not even when I told him I was no longer able to have kids. He welcomed my boys to his heart, along with me, and we wed just 17 months after meeting.
The U.S. Navy saw to it that he was gone a lot over the years, but when he was home he was there for all of us. There was the usual adjustments during the honeymoon phase, since there were extra persons to take into each consideration. Alone time wasn’t frequent, but when we did get it, we valued it even more.
My sons don’t call the Other Half “Dad” since their own father was always in the picture and active in their lives. But that doesn’t mean they care for him any less than their biological father. They consider him a friend and know that he has always been, and always will be, there for them if they need it. He has been there to share the ups and downs, wipe the tears, clean and dress the “owies,” and tuck them in at night.
When he speaks of Favorite Oldest Son and Favorite Youngest Son, he refers to them as his sons. I truly can’t recall hearing him ever call them his stepsons; if he did it was so long ago my memory has dropped it.
One of my proudest moments was watching as Other Half stood on the stage to be “pinned” by our two boys when he made Chief in the Navy. Both boys were teenagers at the time, and they were so honored that he wanted them to pin his new rank on his collar. Many folks ask their spouse or a military mentor to do the honors. Other Half, however, did not hesitate in stating who he wanted to share the moment with him.
So this Father’s Day, I salute all stepfathers who stepped in and helped a woman raise her children when you could have easily kept on going. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. While cruising the internet I found this poem I would like to share with all of you:
To My Stepfather
I just want to say: Thank you for all that you have been;
For giving of yourself much more than would a lot of men;
For coming up beside my mom, and standing there for her;
When she was lonely, hurt and weak, a little bit unsure;
For trying hard to shield her from life’s worries and alarms;
For taking on a father’s role, and opening your arms;
For taking us in as your own, and giving us your life,
And loving with a father’s love the children of your wife;
For being generous and good; For being kind and nice;
For all the love that lies behind each little sacrifice;
For all the times you’ve spent with us, and all the times we’ve had;
For all these things, and more, I say, “I’m proud to call you ‘Dad’.”
~ Gerardo Campbell
SPOTLIGHT
This week I want to introduce you to Jo Ellen Flaherty. She is a bead artist that has a shop on Etsy.com. She makes some of the most beautiful jewelry I have ever seen. Please give her shop a visit and I’m sure you’ll find something that speaks to you. Her link is http://bit.ly/Etsy-JoEllenFlaherty.
From her profile page:
“I started beading about 17 years ago. I did a few craft shows, sold a few pieces to family and friends, and gave away more than I sold. I loved making jewelry, but something was missing. Twelve years ago, my only child was in a horrific car accident. Blessings on us that he survived. He is blind and has a brain injury, but his presence reminds me every day to approach life with passion, and that was exactly what was missing from my beading. I now approach my art with a creativity that comes directly from my heart. I love where beading takes me and hope that my love for every bead, every stitch, and every finished piece takes you somewhere special too.”
Thanks for checking out the latest posting to The Road to a Dream. Until next week…
I love your story! I myself didn't have a good father. It is so important to have a strong male figure in your life and it sounds like you and your children had that and that is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your journey in writing!
I love Jo's jewelry also.
Thank you so much! Sorry to hear you were not blessed in the father department. Sometimes Fate deals us a bad hand, but we can still win the round. Thanks again for reading!
ReplyDeleteGreat tribute to Dad's, thanks!
ReplyDeleteand I loved the feature on Jo and her bead weaver shop, lovely jewelry for sure!
Thank you!
DeleteAs everyone has said, "what a lovely tribute to your Dad".
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing my shop with your readers.
You're very welcome!
Delete