So.....
My parents both remarried within 10 days of each other in the same year. It was a little weird.
We were in both weddings, one in a church and one in my grandparent's backyard.
My parents both remarried within 10 days of each other in the same year. It was a little weird.
We were in both weddings, one in a church and one in my grandparent's backyard.
My Step-Father was an only child. He was born in Montana and had a Step-Mother of his own around 12 years old (approx.) His mother passed away, I believe, of cancer. He is a veteran and later became a veterinarian. He put himself through school working for the railroad (I believe).
At the time he married my mother, they both were divorced and single parents. My step-father's ex-wife suffered from a mental illness, however together, they had a son. So my step-father brought with him a 4 year old son. It actually was pretty neat for awhile having two little brothers. He was only a year younger than my own brother so they were built-in-buddies. This step-brother was pretty protective of my step-father and quite adverse to having a new step-mom.
There are many things I admire about a man who commits to take on a woman with 2 children. He not only commits to her but to us as well.
My step-father was quiet but very kind and provided us with a stable home. In contrast to the environment with my step-mother, he was completely opposite. He wasn't emotional or judgemental. He didn't care what we wore or even what we thought of him. He never disciplined us. He left that to my mom. I guess he didn't feel like it was his place. He never got involved with my biological father. In all the conflicts that there were I only remember a handful of times where he stepped in not for a physical altercation but to end the arguing. I admire him for that. For not pulling his weight or power as the new-head-of-the-household. He was respectful of us and his role as our step-father.
My step-father was quiet but very kind and provided us with a stable home. In contrast to the environment with my step-mother, he was completely opposite. He wasn't emotional or judgemental. He didn't care what we wore or even what we thought of him. He never disciplined us. He left that to my mom. I guess he didn't feel like it was his place. He never got involved with my biological father. In all the conflicts that there were I only remember a handful of times where he stepped in not for a physical altercation but to end the arguing. I admire him for that. For not pulling his weight or power as the new-head-of-the-household. He was respectful of us and his role as our step-father.
He also taught us the value of a strong work ethic. In all his years as a veterinarian I think he may have missed 4-5 days of work. He NEVER missed work, ever!!! He was punctual and dependable. He loved what he did and it showed. We spent alot of time at his office and he taught us so much about animals. We watched many surgeries. We participated in many c-sections. He showed us things under his microscope. He let us blow up his disposable gloves and make water squirters with new, empty syringes. We helped clean exam tables, file and even answer phones. Yes, on occasion, we also cleaned the dog runs!! Yuck!
My Step-Father was also an angler.
Our first boat was called 'Gin on the Rocks' and the second was called 'Unreel'. My Step-Father was the president of his angling club and also held a couple of world records for awhile. He was also a scuba diver.
We spent alot of weekends on these boats. My step-father would chase whales so we could see them up close. He would catch sharks so we could feel their skin and boil their jaws for teeth. We swam with dolphins and chatted with sea otters. It wasn't my favorite thing to do so I opted to spend alot of time with my grandmother on many of these outings. But I appreciated the passion my step-father had for the ocean and the opportunities he took to teach us about it's creatures. To this day I still have an appreciation for it and have many good memories of the time we spent on those boats.
Growing up, most of my day to day memories are of him in his room with his head in a book. He is an intellect and an introvert. Both of those characteristics do not make the most conducive environment for children. I wish that he had been more present and engaged in what we were doing and feeling.
Overall, he was a respectable father who did the best that he could. He was kind, respectful and he was committed to the job.
I sometimes tell my children the most important thing you can do in your life, in anything you commit to, is to "show up". For this, I am thankful. He "showed up".
Today, I talk to my step-father very often because my mom is fatally ill.
One-on-one, he is more open with his emotions and I appreciate that. I enjoy our conversations and I am thankful for the love and dedication he has to my mom. Its quite difficult this past year and in spite of the struggles...
he "shows up"........
everyday....
My Step-Father was also an angler.
Our first boat was called 'Gin on the Rocks' and the second was called 'Unreel'. My Step-Father was the president of his angling club and also held a couple of world records for awhile. He was also a scuba diver.
We spent alot of weekends on these boats. My step-father would chase whales so we could see them up close. He would catch sharks so we could feel their skin and boil their jaws for teeth. We swam with dolphins and chatted with sea otters. It wasn't my favorite thing to do so I opted to spend alot of time with my grandmother on many of these outings. But I appreciated the passion my step-father had for the ocean and the opportunities he took to teach us about it's creatures. To this day I still have an appreciation for it and have many good memories of the time we spent on those boats.
Growing up, most of my day to day memories are of him in his room with his head in a book. He is an intellect and an introvert. Both of those characteristics do not make the most conducive environment for children. I wish that he had been more present and engaged in what we were doing and feeling.
Overall, he was a respectable father who did the best that he could. He was kind, respectful and he was committed to the job.
I sometimes tell my children the most important thing you can do in your life, in anything you commit to, is to "show up". For this, I am thankful. He "showed up".
Today, I talk to my step-father very often because my mom is fatally ill.
One-on-one, he is more open with his emotions and I appreciate that. I enjoy our conversations and I am thankful for the love and dedication he has to my mom. Its quite difficult this past year and in spite of the struggles...
he "shows up"........
everyday....
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