Hotep,
It was October 12, 1988.
The U.S.S. Tarawa was dropping its anchor in Monterey Bay, when the Red
Cross sent a message to my commanding officer that one of his crew members had
just become the father of a healthy, bouncing baby boy; My son, Daveante Elwood
Mann.
The Air Boss came down to my berthing quarters to deliver
the news. I was barely 20 years of
age. I didn’t know the first thing about
being a father. Even so, I was
overwhelmed with pride when the Air Boss shook my hand and welcomed me into
fatherhood. I intended to do everything
for my son that my Pops had done for me.
I blame myself for the circumstances that impeded my deepest
intentions. SMH.
You see, my Pops, Elliot C. Dabney, restored the parental
balance in my household, during my most impressionable years. The ongoing displays of affection between him
and Moms – along with the pet names and many road trips – were an obvious
beginning of our bond as father and son.
This was everything that I wanted for my son. Real Talk.
My son grew up knowing his father was living on N.C.’s death
row. How do you explain that to a 10
year old boy yearning for his father?
How do you explain that you won’t be coming home any time soon, while
looking into those innocent brown eyes that once belonged to you? I gotta tell ya, blogosphere; my honesty led
to some painful moments inside this box.
Feel me?
My son became a father exactly 20 years after I did. For the last 4 years, he’s been molding and
shaping the future of the Elwood Mann tribe; my grandseed, Deuce. He’s giving Deuce everything a father should
give a son: guidance, pleasant memories
and someone to call Dad. Even though I
can’t be there for them physically, I still take pride in the fact that my son
respects me enough to call me, Dad.
Funny how life works, right?
This father recognizes that his offspring will in many ways
define his existence. My son has done a
great job of making me proud. It may be
difficult to embrace this thought, but I feel I’ve done the same for my
Pops. Simply because my past mistakes
aren’t the deciding factor in whom I’ve become.
How I’ve chosen to respond in the face of adversity gives all of us
something to be proud of. Ya heard?
I love you Pops. You’ve
always been there for me, and you’ll never be far from me. Na mean?
I love you too, Son. You’re the
manifestation of the father figure I wanted to be for you. You’re out there raising your son. An artist takes pride in his beautiful
works. Deuce is just that, Son; a
beautiful work of art. That’s what’s
up!!
Son, I also want to congratulate you on the upcoming edition
to the Mann fam. The thought of a female
Mann coming into this world, during the revolutionary month of July, stirs the
soul of a proud G-dad – resulting in a jewel leaving a track on the side of my
face. I think I will call my
granddaughter, Tear. I’m overflowing
with pride, Son. Word is bond!!
Father’s Day is a gift that I choose to share with the
world. So allow me to acknowledge some
fathers that have left us with the gift of their memories. Rest in Peace Mr. Julius Samuel, Mr. Leroy Elwood.
Mann Sr., Mr. Walter Frank Williams and Mr. Thomas Leon Carter. Long live the fruits of your legacy.
One Love,
MannofStat
Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann
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