A Letter to My Dad
I’m writing this letter to my Dad in honor of him just being my Dad. We seldom talk about the Dad
in our life but I want the whole world to know how I feel about MY Dad.
Dad,
I wanted to share with you my thoughts on the evolution of our
relationship and your impact on my life. A long, long time ago
you, I’m sure mom told you that she was pregnant and the baby
was yours. I am sure like most men, your emotions ranged from
fear to confusion to joy. In the end though, in my mind you
manned up and never looked back. And when people asked me
about my parents and why they are not married or your role in
my life, I am always quick to let people know that for me there
was never been a time when you were not in my life.
As I was growing up, you did not appear to be generous, gracious, and funny, as I would have
liked. I have adopted many of your mannerisms and I want you to see your best qualities amplified
within me. Your being proud of me is a driving force in how I carry myself and strive to be a better
person. I remember always wanting a picture of you and knowing that you were not big on taking
pictures.
My earliest memory of you is the joy I felt as I watched you walk through the door. I can see you
carrying a small transistor radio in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Growing up, I don’t think I
ever made a big deal about why you married mom so late in life. Looking back though, our
relationship would probably not be as unique if you and Mom got married because over the years, I
had developed an ability to keep our relationship sacred regardless of what was happening
between you and mom or whatever other drama was happening in my life.
And when I did cut up, you were always there not to only discipline me, but to let me know
everything would be alright. One memory that stands out was the time I was suspended from
school for cutting classes. I felt horrible because I thought I let everyone down and there would be
nothing I could do to regain your respect or favor. After getting the severe beat down from Mom
with anything and everything she could get her hands on. I was then sentenced to solitary
confinement for two weeks. I remember you sneaking me into your room, letting me sit in your
chair, I remember the peace I felt.
I told you what happened between sobs and tears, telling you that I was sorry and I didn’t want to
let you down. When I looked up, I saw tears coming down your eyes and I never saw you cry
before. We talked…and we shared like we never had and I went back to solitary, you told me you
loved me and proud that I told you what happened and you gave me a huge hug and $2. To this day,
I don’t see what I did to deserve any money whatsoever but it was your way of letting me know
that our relationship was strong and everything would be alright. I will never forget that experience
Dad, thank you.
As I got older, it hit me. Sometimes you just have put the pain and disappointment aside. Focus on
the person not the event. That bond we shared is so great that I can’t really put it into words. I just
hope my kids learn and continue to grow like I did.
Always there, you were instrumental in making sure I had opportunities that really shaped my life
for the better. I remember you signing my letter of intent to play basketball when Mom wouldn't’t.
You taught about baseball, the only reason I’m a Pittsburgh Pirates fan is because of you. I
remember the tasty bake goods you would bring home on occasions, especially my favorite, lady-
locks! To this day I am still grateful for your sacrifices, no matter how small.
I am grateful for your guidance, friendship, and your love. Although you have passed away 21
years ago, I still miss you and I am painfully reminded of how precious life is. Dad, I love you and I
cherish our relationship and I am so proud to call you Dad!
Thanks so much for being my Dad!!!!!
in our life but I want the whole world to know how I feel about MY Dad.
Dad,
I wanted to share with you my thoughts on the evolution of our
relationship and your impact on my life. A long, long time ago
you, I’m sure mom told you that she was pregnant and the baby
was yours. I am sure like most men, your emotions ranged from
fear to confusion to joy. In the end though, in my mind you
manned up and never looked back. And when people asked me
about my parents and why they are not married or your role in
my life, I am always quick to let people know that for me there
was never been a time when you were not in my life.
As I was growing up, you did not appear to be generous, gracious, and funny, as I would have
liked. I have adopted many of your mannerisms and I want you to see your best qualities amplified
within me. Your being proud of me is a driving force in how I carry myself and strive to be a better
person. I remember always wanting a picture of you and knowing that you were not big on taking
pictures.
My earliest memory of you is the joy I felt as I watched you walk through the door. I can see you
carrying a small transistor radio in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Growing up, I don’t think I
ever made a big deal about why you married mom so late in life. Looking back though, our
relationship would probably not be as unique if you and Mom got married because over the years, I
had developed an ability to keep our relationship sacred regardless of what was happening
between you and mom or whatever other drama was happening in my life.
And when I did cut up, you were always there not to only discipline me, but to let me know
everything would be alright. One memory that stands out was the time I was suspended from
school for cutting classes. I felt horrible because I thought I let everyone down and there would be
nothing I could do to regain your respect or favor. After getting the severe beat down from Mom
with anything and everything she could get her hands on. I was then sentenced to solitary
confinement for two weeks. I remember you sneaking me into your room, letting me sit in your
chair, I remember the peace I felt.
I told you what happened between sobs and tears, telling you that I was sorry and I didn’t want to
let you down. When I looked up, I saw tears coming down your eyes and I never saw you cry
before. We talked…and we shared like we never had and I went back to solitary, you told me you
loved me and proud that I told you what happened and you gave me a huge hug and $2. To this day,
I don’t see what I did to deserve any money whatsoever but it was your way of letting me know
that our relationship was strong and everything would be alright. I will never forget that experience
Dad, thank you.
As I got older, it hit me. Sometimes you just have put the pain and disappointment aside. Focus on
the person not the event. That bond we shared is so great that I can’t really put it into words. I just
hope my kids learn and continue to grow like I did.
Always there, you were instrumental in making sure I had opportunities that really shaped my life
for the better. I remember you signing my letter of intent to play basketball when Mom wouldn't’t.
You taught about baseball, the only reason I’m a Pittsburgh Pirates fan is because of you. I
remember the tasty bake goods you would bring home on occasions, especially my favorite, lady-
locks! To this day I am still grateful for your sacrifices, no matter how small.
I am grateful for your guidance, friendship, and your love. Although you have passed away 21
years ago, I still miss you and I am painfully reminded of how precious life is. Dad, I love you and I
cherish our relationship and I am so proud to call you Dad!
Thanks so much for being my Dad!!!!!
| COOPER FAMILY NEWSLETTER Cooper-Dickerson-Harris-Montgomery-Anthony-Caffee-Walls-Paul |
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Volume III Issue XXIII
| February 2012 |
| Congratulations Lorne S. Walls & Martha E. Williams on their engagement |
“And he delivered righteous
Lot, who was greatly
distressed by the
indulgence of the law-
defying people in loose
conduct – for that righteous
man by what he saw and
heard wile dwelling among
them day to day was
tormenting his righteous
soul by reason of their
lawless deeds.”
-2 Peter 2:7-8
Lot, who was greatly
distressed by the
indulgence of the law-
defying people in loose
conduct – for that righteous
man by what he saw and
heard wile dwelling among
them day to day was
tormenting his righteous
soul by reason of their
lawless deeds.”
-2 Peter 2:7-8
If you have been or are sexually active, then you probably have a good idea of how tough those
conversations can be. You know what makes me mad though? When I graduated from high
school and from college, there were so few people my age that had children. Today it’s like
children in high school are having children and the trend is ever so popular. It’s almost like they’
re more proud of having kids than getting a degree. Now if you have kids I am not knocking you,
But I hate how common it is for people to have had to seriously contemplate having a baby and
they’re not out of high school. You know what I’m talking about, missed periods, broken condoms,
birth control, pregnancy tests, the list goes on.
And I wish I had some great insightful question to toss out there, but
I don’t. I am just tired of hearing how common that experience is
amongst my family.
What do you think?
conversations can be. You know what makes me mad though? When I graduated from high
school and from college, there were so few people my age that had children. Today it’s like
children in high school are having children and the trend is ever so popular. It’s almost like they’
re more proud of having kids than getting a degree. Now if you have kids I am not knocking you,
But I hate how common it is for people to have had to seriously contemplate having a baby and
they’re not out of high school. You know what I’m talking about, missed periods, broken condoms,
birth control, pregnancy tests, the list goes on.
And I wish I had some great insightful question to toss out there, but
I don’t. I am just tired of hearing how common that experience is
amongst my family.
What do you think?
What Are Your Thoughts?
Publisher/Editor: Kevin Paul
| In the Hospital Chester - Heritage House - Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Maxine - West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Joyce - University Hospital, Cleveland, OH |