Hotep,
Traditionally fathers are rarely given credit for watering their own seeds.
Providing for your offspring is just the natural duty of a dad, right?
Well, what about a dad that takes care of another man’s offspring as if they were his own? Does he deserve credit? Hold that thought…
I wanna say Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads. Those who are with us physically and those who have moved on, but allow their spirit to dwell within us.
I deeply appreciate the existence of my grandfather, the late Mr. Julius Samuel, aka, “Pop-Pop.” Your words, your love and your barbershop have left an everlasting impression on my life.
My son, Daveante, I love you more than the air that I breathe. I can’t begin to explain how proud I am to be a “G-Dad.” Thank you for my grandseed,Son.
And my Pops (Ed), I just wanna thank you for accepting me as your son. That’s what’s up!
It’s because of my Pops that I’ve never been able to embrace the term “step-parent.” Mainly because my Step-Pops has been my Dad since I was 5 years old.
My biological was tragically taken from me shortly after my 4th birthday.
I can still remember his last night in the realm we know as living.
The chaos…
The screams…
The tears…
Even the flashing red lights of the ambulance…
Much too complex for a 4 year old to ingest, right?
I now realize that I was called to do big things. Pain and suffering are just 2 of the many ingredients for the recipe that makes me Mannofstat.
You see, my Pops didn’t allow me to become a fatherless child. We’d go fishing, camping and I can’t count the many times we went to Six Flags’ Great Adventure.
But, his most memorable experience as my Dad was when we had breakfast with the legendary b-ball coach, Rollie Massimino.
It was a father/son banquet sponsored by my high school. Rollie was the guest speaker. My Pops still remembers Rollie’s speech. Real talk.
My most memorable experience as his son was when I saw a tear in his eye at my graduation from Navy bootcamp. The pride of a father was evident.
When he comes to see me, I can still see that pride, the pride of knowing that his son will not allow concrete and steel to define my being. Feel me?
I am driven by the Creator, but no matter where my journey leads, my father’s pride will always be with me. I’ve never had a “Step-Father,” only Pops.
One Love,
Mannofstat
Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Mann
Poo,
ReplyDeleteI can dig where you are coming from. Ed never felt like a "Step", he was the REAL deal and he never treated us as though he was only there making points with Moms but for us kids also.
I want to also wish you a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY (G-DAD). Be blessed and keep your head and eyes on the PRIZE!!!!!!!
Oh Wow this really brought tears to my eyes. It is truly a nice thing when you hear of a Man taking over a parents duty. I do feel you and I am bless to know you and love you. Keep strong and remember their are so many many fatherless children out here who grow up without ever knowing what a Father image is all about. I always keep this in my heart and that is Every Mother who borns a child is not a Mother. Every Father who gives his seed for a child is not a Father! Be Bless and keep Hope and faith Alive!
ReplyDeleteI would like to piggy-back on the words from the "Mannofstat" and wish all of the father's out there a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! From a females perspective...as a mother... I would like to tell the fathers that we as mothers are blessed to have you!! Your presence not only impacts the life of your children but the lives of the mothers of your children as well. Parenting is a TOUGH job but the partnership of a father makes it MUCH easier. So THANKS to all of you ...for all that you do...we couldn't do it without you!!! Looking at it from female child's point of view...being the benefactor of a loving and supportive fahter..."RIP TLC" I can honestly say that I wouldn't be the woman I am today, had it not been for the love and support of my father, Thomas Leon Carter. I have ALWAYS felt special, have ALWAYS known that I was loved, have ALWAYS known that I mattered, have ALWAYS believed that I could do anything I wanted to do! My father instilled those beliefs in me. Boys naturally look to their fathers as a role models because a father helps to shape their sons into the men that they will become later. But fathers...KNOW this...you are ALSO role models for your daughters as well!!! Why?? because your father is the first man to ever love you! FATHERS set the tone, YOU set the bar and provide the measure for the type of man your daughters will seek later in life!!! Just one sista's perspective!!! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY MANNOFSTAT!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Father's Day shout out. You know how proud I am to be a G-dad. Acknowledging me as a father/g-dad before the eyes of the masses inspires me to continue doing what I do.
I love you madly Big Sis. My heart is with you and my eyes remain on the prize. Ya heard?
Peace and Love
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head when you said, "people's upbringing plays a role in everybody's life." I was raised in a two parent household, and I was taught that family loyalty is essential to unity amongst your loved ones.
My codefendant was my fam. She did 8 years and has been a productive member of society since 2003. She received a lesser sentence because I exercised my right to remain silent. So because of my upbringing, she's able to start over again. Feel me?
One
Hotep,
ReplyDeleteOne thing I'll never do is give up on the good in people. "The Pride of a Father" post is a manifestation of that optimism. Good people are not facing extinction. We just have to live by faith and expect great things to come. Feel me?
The legendary super group, 'The Temptations,' said "Poppa was a rolling stone.". This clasic cut is just an example of how some people are quick to point the finger at the father when life goes sour. But, if we take the responsibility to look in the mirror. If we self-evaluate, if we understand who we truly are, success is inevitable.
Succes as a parent, success in corporate america (Holla if ya hear me, Chelle) or just success in life in general, gives us the opportunity to be good people. My biological father's death has nothing to do with me being in prison, the same way my being in prison should not hinder the success of my
son as a dad. Ya heard?
I'm truly thankful for the support of my viewers. All comments are welcome, whether it be Anonymous, Ms. TLC or my sister Deb. Thank you for believing in me. I hope that my words will relieve your pain as well as dry your tears.
Be Easy
Mannofstat