I STRUCK THE Daddy Lottery–I had the good fortune of having not one but two terrific dads.
The original Daddy, who taught me every girl is a princess ...
Though I remember many things about my first daddy, what I remember most about Daddy Don is the swooping feel of him swinging me up, setting me on his shoulders during a summer rain shower.
The fresh smell of rain, the drops, clean and cool and misting down to bead on my upturned face.
And as I clung to his neck, Daddy pointed past the rain, showing me a brilliant ray of sun shining bright from behind a cloud.
He said, “Look, Sissy Kat. It’s a miracle. The sun is shining, even through the rain . . . ”
Many years later, when Dad-the-Sequel (Stephan T.) came along, I was a bratty teenager who knew everything–except how lucky I was to have known the second wise, kind and strong man who would love my mother.
As time went by and my brattiness subsided (for the most part), I discovered we shared a love of old movies, good writing, good dogs and my Mama.
I am so thankful for the time I had with Dad.2, only wishing I had the five years of bratty-teen to do over, to realize what a good and amazing man he was.
My first Dad gave me life and love and the firm belief that I was and would always be his princess.
My second Dad gave me strength and courage–he gave me the confidence and encouragement to become a writer. He taught me that I was good enough, strong enough and enough of enough to be my own princess, or anything else I wanted to be.
He proved that if you’re very, very lucky, The Sequel–while different–can be every bit as epic as The First.
When I was a little girl–even with evidence to the contrary–I firmly believed that the people I loved would live forever, and that Dad.2 was my Retirement Plan, my Back Up Plan, my Eternal Safety Net.
And even in death, both dads still are just that.
On clear, still nights, under the bright shining stars, I know that somewhere, the sun is still shining.
And both of my dads are watching over me, guiding me, whispering gentle words of wisdom, kindness and comfort.
Because the sun still shines, even in the rain.
I know this is true, because my Daddy told me so.
For more forays into step-parenting . . . read an excerpt here!
If you enjoyed this story, please check out my own forays into step-parent hood . . . Confessions of a Wicked Stepmother~ I hope I do him proud . . .
I know what you mean. I thought my father would be different. He’d never die. I couldn’t imagine living in a world without him. He wasn’t different. He did die and I learned to live in a world without him–but it was not easy.
Oh, my friend Jane . . . my heart bleeds for you, in only a way a daughter with a good Dadddy’s does . . . but it does explain a lot about how you turned out to be the amazing, talented, kind-spirited woman you are . . .
Was Mr. Frazier ever stationed in Morocco?
Yes he was, did you know him?
I was a dependent at Sidi Slimane AB. I’m doing research on the base and came across his name living in a house near me. Although I must have recognized him back then, I can’t recall him at this time. Do you remember what his job was as a Captain there? As usual, the AF typed his name as Stephen.
He was a colonel, even then . . . i have artifacts from Morrocco . . .
If you could verify the rank and job I would like to correct the history. There was one full colonel on base, the Base Commander. But, there were several Lt. Colonels, who were sqd. commanders and department directors. They all lived in another set of housing. Thanks
I’ll forward your message to my mom, she would no better than me . . .