Dad, Daddio, Papa, Papi, Pappy, and Fred

My Heart!

A Dad of many names

For all the Dad's of girls, listen up

This is how you make your baby girl become a woman of CONVICTION

YOU let her know she MEANS something

YOU let her know she is IMPORTANT

YOU let her know someone, daddy-papa-pappy-fred (my brothers name for him), has her back by SHOWING up

YOU let her know her BOUNDARIES

YOU let her know your EXPECTATIONS

This is a letter my dad wrote me as a teenager

This is why he was A GREAT MAN

My dad's uncle gave me my knick-name, Sam, because I came out of the womb looking like I was in a boxing match.  I did not come out looking all pink and petite like every girl is expected.  I fought my way out baby and had the bruises to prove it!  There was nothing feminine about me.  Sam, is what I answered to from my dad.

I love this poem he found.  It is a heartfelt poem from a parent. I was reluctant  whether I wanted to share it, his funny imagery translation, and his letter.  But, having thought about it, I wanted to share what a grateful daughter I am to have had a dad that was so thoughtful, loving, and strong.  I wanted to let you all know what a GREAT FATHER I have.

My dad was very well noted around the neighborhood for being the ONE parent that stayed up when you came in on a Friday or Saturday night.  There was no slipping in the house without a good "talk" about your night.  

As every parent knows this was to gage your teenagers behavior to know they were on the 

UP AND UP, as we like to say.

When I was a teenager, my dad would write my, "To do lists," like this to make them fun and to get a better result from me ACTUALLY doing what I was told.  Here is the poem translated in his funny, unique word imagery.

He also wrote me lovely, sweet letters too

His memory stays with me everyday...his words and actions give me strength behind what I stand for and believe to be right...

And I have ALWAYS KNOWN that I am loved UNCONDITIONALLY

I LOVE YOU PAPI!