Daddy’s Shoulders
by Cbabi Bayoc
Have you ever been out somewhere and saw a man interacting with his daughter and said to yourself “That’s a lucky little girl?” Well, if you were living in my city chances are you were talking about my father. I know… It’s bold to automatically assume that you have The Best father in the state and quite possibly the country, but I am absolutely positive my Daddad is on the world’s top ten Greatest Fathers of all time list.
You doubt me? Well, I wish I could give you a simple list of what makes him so wonderful but in truth it’s not what he buys, or how he spoils. Daddad has a gruff demeanor most days, but if there was ever a man created for fatherhood Daddad is it!
When I was a child I can remember him working midnights at “the plant”. He would get home around five o’clock in the morning and wake me up so we could have breakfast together. The food was good but being up with Daddad at five am was better than any cheese eggs could ever be. He always made me feel special. I never remember a day not feeling loved even during those trying teenage years when I had “angst” about virtually everything!
My father is known for doing all the daddy things. He fixes my car, he “gives” me money (whew lord has he “given” me money), cuts my grass, cleans my gutters, shovels my snow and fusses the whole while doing it. I just smile and let him fuss because I know its love. Some days I thinks he wishes I made better “man choices” so someone else could climb on the roof and dodge dog dog poop. As I get older I am beginning to wonder if I’ll ever find a man who is as wonderful as Daddad
…but I digress.
About 3 years ago I hit a really rough spot in my life and my father was not only there to help me pick up the pieces but he also took time and really prayed for me. You know for all the monetary and tangible support my father has given me; that is the defining moment of spiritual and emotional support that catapults him over the top in my book. There are tons of men who give their children everything under the sun and there is nothing wrong with that; my father is no exception. I believe that when you bring children in this world you have a responsibility to make sure their early years are full of good memories. Nothing… and I do mean NOTHING trumps a praying father who not only shows you love, but also shows you God.
My father is also damn good lookin’. Yep, my mother got a looker alright. (My mother is quite the looker too and they make a really cute couple!) I think he knows he’s fine, but every now and then we remind him. When you add his looks in with his wisdom, God-fearing nature, his quick wit that makes you cry with laughter and his southern charm you have a man that immediately makes you feel good to be around. To top it all off he can cook! You have never experienced a fish fry until you’ve experienced it with my father. Trust me when I tell you it will make all other fish fries seem like a quick seafood snack.
As if that wasn’t enough! My father picked up where my ex-husband has never tread. He has been both daddy and Poppa to my daughter. At the age of 12 I am positive that my daughter’s look at men would have been severely jaded had it not been for my father’s influence. While he spoils and defends (mostly from me) like any good grandfather would do; I have seen him shift into parental mode and nothing sets “The Child” straighter than when Poppa gets pissed. I tell you what!
My father is old school. He is not overtly affectionate and I think he is where I learned touching is overrated. Yet, to see him interact with the child you’d never guess it. Now, I know there will be many stories posted over the next week expounding on the wonderful father’s that you all have and I encourage you to show your love, just know that my Daddad is hands down the best father this side of heaven! He is singularly THE best definition for what manhood, husbandom and fatherhood should look like.
I love you Daddad!
