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| My late husband, David Hancock, with our daughter, Bonnie |
I felt that I was lucky. I have two dads. One helped me come into this world and the other raised me into the woman I am. I still have them both. Of course, I am still fussy and back-talk. Although, I tell myself that the way I do it now is for their own good. If I see them not taking care of themselves or fishing isn't the biggest responsibility they put on themselves, yea, I turn into the boss and they turn into the pouter that does his own thing anyway.
Growing up was always interesting with them around. My father was in the Army so we got moved around quite a bit. At one point, he got stationed in Alaska. My mom, brother and I varied between driving from post to post or flying, but for Alaska we took the Alaskan cruise. It took longer but you don't get whales escorting a 747. Alaska was incredible and one of my favorite places to live. He never failed to come in to check on us after he would get in late and never dwelt too much on the fact that we all had to leave friends behind. Even after he got out of the military, he continued to move around a lot but kept being drawn back to the Central Texas area that we call home.
That is something special about dads. In the beginning, finding his family a home, sustenance and safety were the duties of a father. Something like that is bred into us, although
now-a-days either or both of the parents get that responsibility.
When my mom remarried, it was into an entirely different world than we were used to. My step-dad, son of a farmer, was a carpenter at the time. He had a steady job that he had been with since he was out of high school. He taught me what a good work ethic was, but also that all work and no play made Lottie a grumpy chicken. He worked hard all week and when Friday came around, we piled into the car to visit family. Saturday and Sunday were for escaping to the lake or a Brazos River picnic. He and his dad and brothers taught me how to speak Czech which was their native language. Did I mention that we lived in a Czech community established in the mid-1800's by Czechoslovakian immigrants? It was like living in two worlds!
Our fathers touch our lives in so many ways. I married a good man, David. He was an incredible father that gave our children a magical upbringing. After he retired, he devoted all of his time to his babies and showed them daily that they were loved. He taught them everything from cooking to fishing to science. He was crazy with his humor and the kids still tell his jokes and pull his pranks. You would think that I would see them coming by now. I see him when I look at our son. I can't help but wonder what kind of dad he will be with such a long line of great dad's to guide him along.
I am now engaged to a good man who has two sons from a previous marriage. My kids look up to him and follow his lead on things. My kids are grown but he accepts them as his own as I accept his. We have a motley crew but led by a new captain. He respects David's influences on the home so it is a shared Dad thing, I suppose. Nice arrangement if you ask me.
I hope and pray that you appreciate the gift that you were given by that simple man called Dad. Hug him, call him, or, if need be, visit his resting place today. He might not be raising you any longer but his love for you still thrives and will throughout eternity.
Happy Father's Day to you all and God bless you.
Growing up was always interesting with them around. My father was in the Army so we got moved around quite a bit. At one point, he got stationed in Alaska. My mom, brother and I varied between driving from post to post or flying, but for Alaska we took the Alaskan cruise. It took longer but you don't get whales escorting a 747. Alaska was incredible and one of my favorite places to live. He never failed to come in to check on us after he would get in late and never dwelt too much on the fact that we all had to leave friends behind. Even after he got out of the military, he continued to move around a lot but kept being drawn back to the Central Texas area that we call home.
That is something special about dads. In the beginning, finding his family a home, sustenance and safety were the duties of a father. Something like that is bred into us, although
now-a-days either or both of the parents get that responsibility.
When my mom remarried, it was into an entirely different world than we were used to. My step-dad, son of a farmer, was a carpenter at the time. He had a steady job that he had been with since he was out of high school. He taught me what a good work ethic was, but also that all work and no play made Lottie a grumpy chicken. He worked hard all week and when Friday came around, we piled into the car to visit family. Saturday and Sunday were for escaping to the lake or a Brazos River picnic. He and his dad and brothers taught me how to speak Czech which was their native language. Did I mention that we lived in a Czech community established in the mid-1800's by Czechoslovakian immigrants? It was like living in two worlds!
Our fathers touch our lives in so many ways. I married a good man, David. He was an incredible father that gave our children a magical upbringing. After he retired, he devoted all of his time to his babies and showed them daily that they were loved. He taught them everything from cooking to fishing to science. He was crazy with his humor and the kids still tell his jokes and pull his pranks. You would think that I would see them coming by now. I see him when I look at our son. I can't help but wonder what kind of dad he will be with such a long line of great dad's to guide him along.
I am now engaged to a good man who has two sons from a previous marriage. My kids look up to him and follow his lead on things. My kids are grown but he accepts them as his own as I accept his. We have a motley crew but led by a new captain. He respects David's influences on the home so it is a shared Dad thing, I suppose. Nice arrangement if you ask me.
I hope and pray that you appreciate the gift that you were given by that simple man called Dad. Hug him, call him, or, if need be, visit his resting place today. He might not be raising you any longer but his love for you still thrives and will throughout eternity.
Happy Father's Day to you all and God bless you.
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