A Father’s Love,
I often think about who I would be without my dad in my life. Would I be as comfortable and strong willed as I am today? Would I have such high expectation of a man, and know what they expect of me? With the dynamics of family changing, is there a need for fathers in a daughter’s life? Or has society become accustomed to one parent families?
Now I’m not saying my dad is perfect, but I am blessed to say I have a father who tried to do his best and when I needed him the most he’s there. I can count the number of times he verbally said “I love you,” on one hand. But I knew how much he loved me from his actions that provided me with lasting memories that are uncountable. Providing encouragement and support are just some of his best attributes.
Before I was old enough to cook, he was the main cook in the family. It’s not to say that mom couldn’t cook, he just did. One year when I was about nine years old for Christmas, I got an Easy Bake Oven. I know many of you had one and are smiling now as I share this story. I can see my dad now standing in the kitchen. He stands over six feet tall, medium built with a dark completion and a big smile. He would announce he was making a cake and asked for my assistance. I would get so excited that I would drop what I was doing and wait to hear the words, “plug in your oven and let’s make a cake.” I could barely contain myself, I began to take control and read with him the ingredients needed to make a delicious yellow cake with chocolate icing. I’m over fifty years old and my early cooking experiences with my dad still linger in my mind even today. Dad would make a two layer cake for the family and would always save me a just enough batter so that I could make one too. I would slide one pan at time into my oven and our heads would touch as we both tried to peer through a small window and patiently watching the cake batter rise. Once both cakes were done, I’d look over at the icing he’d put off to the side. I was told that I’d have to wait until the cakes cooled, because otherwise the icing would run off and the cakes would be unstable. He seemed just as excited as I was for the cakes to cool. I would giggle and smile as we both put icing on our cakes. Never knowing how fortunate I was to have a dad who took the time and was so involved in my life.
Dad also gave great advice about men. When I got married one of his infamous sayings was, “If you don’t want to take care of your husband the lady down the street will. There is always someone waiting to do what you won’t.” To this day those words have influence over me and may be why I’ve been with my husband for almost thirty-eight years.
So, with Father’s Day quickly approaching, I’d like to give a shout out to my dad Stacy Mosley Jr, a eighty-year old retired principal who not only impacted my life but my children and their children too. I love You.