I have no fathers, gpas are gone,uncles are gone, husbands are gone.

BUT all were GREAT fathers, I was blessed. Daddy always WOOPED! after he dove into our pool as it was cold! We held boards for him as he built something like a fort or teeter totter.

Grampa sang to us Johny comes marching home again and I'm forever blowing bubbles. Always bought us fudgecicles.

Gpa had emphesema so we had to be careful when he held us. I was first g child, he was a quiet almost crabby guy, but cute baby me followed him all over and he loved me!

But now I see Father in older men who help me at the store, or neighbors or friends. Men who are giving and care. even if I never had a daddy,  I have had some incredible men in my life.

Ones here, teachers, counselors, guy who pumps my gas, Barlow who I named a turkey after...haha, the guy at Walmart, Garland.

my dear two doctors.

I have learned, especially from Jerry here, that there are pieces of Father everywhere. I have to say this, when I first came here wayyyyy back, there was no better Al Anon Father than John, who listened to my stubborness, but was patient and kept me here!

Can still see my first husband packing one baby on the back and one of the front as we walked all over.

He loved the kids and it was very apparent. All the neighbor kids and our kids would be in a tree. Like magpies in a chinaberry tree he would say. Then he would make bags of popcorn and hand them up to them.

I see ex AH playing with grandson with them under a blanket laughing when his dog would stick his nose in there. I see him bringing a new bike for our son.

I don't celebrate manmade holidays but I cannot help but think, in my life, I loved you more.

deb pic of my first wedding, our family