He's a pretty good dad...
I had this catchy little title all lined up for this post.It was going to be:
"Stepdaddy on a stepladder at the stepdaughter's new digs."
What do you think? Well I changed my mind, and here is why...
My husband and I found each other at a time when I pretty much thought I would spend the rest of my life flying solo. We think we were blessed to have crossed paths. So do my children, which is an added blessing.
This picture was taken on one of those weekend days when I am sure he would have rather stayed home to enjoy a beer and watch some football. Instead we packed up the toolbox and drove the little red pick-up over to the newlywed's abode to install shades and curtain rods. Not only that, he remained patient the whole time. Sometimes the being patient part is harder than the actual task at hand. At least for me. Nonetheless, there was great satisfaction when the job was done. The curtains were hung, the daughter was happy...and so was the dad.
My daughter and her husband asked him to give the toast at their wedding reception. He began with a story about Johnny Cash saying that in his family there were really no stepchildren; they were all just his and June's kids. He then drew the comparison with our families and welcomed the newest member in as well.
So even if the other title was cute and catchy, it just would not have done justice to a pretty good dad and those of us who love him.
posted by gawilli at 7:39 PM
11 Comments:
The wisdom of Johnny Cash, something to live a life by. What a beautiful post. Thank you honey.
You are exactly right. He is a good dad, and the title is fun and catchy but does not do justice to the dad in the picture.
This reminds me a of recent sermon in which I disagreed with the preacher. The text was about Solomon and his proposal to chop the baby into two pieces. Our preacher indicated that Solomon was not especially wise in suggesting that settlement of the parentage of the baby. I have always thought that this decision did point to the "real" mother although maybe not the biological mother. Maybe Solomon would have agreed with Johnny Cash too. Parenting is so much more than biology.
I am glad that you and your husband found each other, and then, I am glad that you both found us.
Thanks mjd.
What a fabulous post about your amazing partner! I recently read Johnny Cash's autobiography. He was a very wise and loving man, and it sounds like your husband is, too :-)
Had't heard Mr. Cash's wisdom, but I would agree. My "father" passed away 4 months ago and as I said then and I will continue to say he may not have been my biological father, but he was my dad for 35 years and I couldn't have asked for better man. One of things that does irk me to no end is when people refer to him as my step-father and for some reason that he is less of a dad or that the grief should be less painful. As I have read often on sentimental cards, anyone can father a child, but it takes a true man to be a dad and even a more wonderful of a man to be a step-dad. Oh, I could go on for ages about great step-dads, I will stop and say - way to go in having a wonderful man as a part of your and your daughter's life .
You can never go wrong quoting Johnny Cash.
Giving up football to hang curtain rods is love.
Good news, guys: we've figured out where we want to hang everything on the walls!
I know what you mean, PJ. When we were planning our wedding night with the DJ, we told him that we wanted to introduce my parents as 'Mother and Step-father' of the bride, and the DJ suggested 'Mother of the bride, and her husband' and I wasn't happy with that suggestion, because he's more to me than just my mother's husband. Hrmph.
Mom and step-daddy, we love you both and are so thankful for all of your help.
Helping is good. The helper can be objective about the job and get it done. Whereas, the home owner thinks too much about how it will come out and does not get it done. It seems dads are good at that kind of work.
I think you made a wise choice about the title. I had a step-father, and I call him that because he wasn't a dad. And, yet, sometimes he was and when he was I call him my dad.
My mother was a widow with two small children when she met my step-father. He was a dad when he undertook to support and raise us. He was a dad when he loved us. He was a step-father when he -- well, sadly, he was a step-father more than he was a dad.
You and your children were fortunate.
Thank you for visiting me. I like your blog and have bookmarked it, as well.
That IS what family is all about, loving, sharing and helping each other out..I love your stories, am going to blogroll you immediately :)
I couldn't agree more!! Any man can be a father. It takes a special man to make a Dad.
Post a Comment
<< Home