Fathers

I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about fathers. The way I see it there are two kinds of fathers: Fathers and Dads.

Father: someone to whom you have a biological connection
Dad: someone to whom you have an emotional connection

Further there are two kinds of Dads: those who start as a Father and grow into a Dad and those who start as a friend and grow into a Dad

Music Man is not Miss Goofy's father. Technically he is her step father and has been for nearly 10 years. However, if you have seen them together, you may not know this. I've been out with the two of them and they've been goofing around together or chattering and agreeing on odd topics and heard people talk about how nice it is to see a father and daughter get along so well. Or been told by store clerks and waiters how my step daughter and her father look so much alike. It really is quite amusing. I love the fact that MM is her dad. She looks to him for guidance and for her value as a woman, something all little girls do. I was very lucky to find MM when I did. My baby was growing up without that and it pained me so much.

The Cranky Old Man is my step father too. My own dad died about a month before I turned 13 and although I had a wonderful father, that hole that was left when he died is still there. It's eased only by a wonderful man who also took up the role of dad. I can go to him and talk to him about anything. He's kind and understanding and never set out to take the place of my dad. He set out to be my friend and became my dad quickly. I have a lot of memories of my father and will always love him, but I count myself blessed that after he was gone, my mom was able to find someone who would become my dad.

And recently there is a new man in my life who has the potential to be a dad/granddad to me. MM's uncle is a kind, wise man. He is helping to fill the void left by my grandpa's illness.

Then there was the original Cranky Old Man. My Dad's step father. My biological dad's step father that is. He insisted that my mother never call him "Grandpa" around us kids. He wanted it to come from us kids, if it came at all. It came very early and was heartfelt.

So, to all the men in my life past and present, Happy Dad's Day. You are the backbone of my life and I love and adore you all.