Father’s Day Love to the Dads and Father’s

I say Dads and Fathers because there is a different connotation between the names.  Father is a more respectful name and portrays an authority figure.  Dad insinuates sweetness, more of a gentle person, always there with a hug and a shoulder to cry on.   Whichever you have or are, Happy Father’s Day!

If you are lucky, you have both in the same man, or maybe you have one of each.  Families come all different ways, and my family has a variety of Dads and Moms.  One thing I can say for sure is that all three of the Dads in my family love each one of my kids – that is the truth!  The feeling of love was never an issue.

Mixed Emotions

For me, today conjures up so many different emotions.  It is not the same as Mother’s Day so this post will be different.  There were many years I called my mom and said ‘Happy Father’s Day!’  Not all of us had that great, amazing dad.  I don’t feel sorry for myself nor do I want anyone to feel sorry for me. There are plenty of people out there who need sympathy and I am not one of them.  I have so many blessings my cup runneth over and none of us has a perfect life or is a flawless human being.

My father passed away on February 22, 2017.  I had to eulogize him via Facebook as there were no services – at least none that I received an invitation.  Sad that it had to be that way, but it helped me be able to express myself and get condolences from my friends.  There really isn’t complete closure when you have a father who neglected you. But, there is such a thing as making peace with it, and that I have.  At some point, I will tell more stories about my father as I did in my racism blog.  He affected my life in significant ways, but Father’s Day isn’t the day to do it.

So let me talk about another person called Dad in my house …

My husband, Alfred Joseph Riguzzi aka hubby #3.

This guy married a lady with three kids of ages 8, 10 and 13.  How many guys would be crazy enough to do that?  Not many – so he must really love me!  We took a leap of faith almost 20 years ago and thank God it worked. That is a whole other story of God putting me on a path that I will tell at another time.  Freddy and I bought a house, put on an addition, married in our new home, and surprised the kids with a puppy within the first six months. We did it all to blend our family and prepare for its growth.

By the following summer, I received a phone call from an ex-sister in law.  There were problems with her, the new husband and her son and she asked if he could live with me for a while. My nephew, Michael, was very close to us.  We took him on ski trips and spent as much time with him as he wanted or needed.  Here I was seven months pregnant, and I had to ask my husband, who had already done so much for this new family if he would mind taking in another teenager.  I would be lying if I said he was jumping for joy, but said he would support me and welcome him.  How many men would do that?  He knew how much this young man meant to all of us.

The situation never came to be, but it will always stand out for me as a testament to his love for me and our new family.  I knew he was going to be a great Dad and somebody I could depend on.  He has proven time and time again with all of us, that he is somebody we can always count on to be there and support us.

A few months later we had Isabella and then a year and a half later, came Joey. Our family was complete!

Freddy took on all the ups and downs with all five kids and never complained.  It is very hard to be a ‘step’ dad when you have an overpowering mom, like myself.  It isn’t easy to know what is the right or wrong thing to say and when you may be overstepping your boundaries.  I am sure it was like walking a tightrope, and I did not make it any easier.  But he rose above it all.  Freddy remained calm and stayed the course all these years.  He is always quietly and steadily in the background being supportive and there whenever you need him.  Since he is not my Dad, I thought it best to hear it from the kids…

Love for Freddy on Father’s Day

I am truly blessed to have four amazing parents.  Each one is so different, but they have all provided me with the exact amount of love and support that I have needed to get to where I am.
Freddy is special for so many reasons, but these, in particular, stand out:       
1.  He took an enormous leap of faith to marry my mother and join a family that already had 3 kids.
2.  He was and always is present.
3.  He helped bring Bella and Joey into the world.
 He is a selfless father, a role model for work ethic and he is reliable.  Oh, and he is also lots of fun to go to concerts with!   Love ya, Fred!  Happy Father’s Day

Christine

Freddy, Father’s Day is meant to be a day to honor Dads for everything they do. There are not enough words to show my appreciation for the unconditional love and respect that you have shown me all these years!   Thank you so much for always being there!  Love you, Fred.

Artie

Freddy has the patience of a saint.  He has been the rock in a family prone to storms, showing us all there is more to being a parent than genetic material.  I am lucky to call him family.  I love you, Freddy!

Roberta

Throughout my life, you have taught me to ride a bike, throw a softball, be kind to others, work hard and save my money etc… all of which I am grateful for.  More importantly, everyday you put a roof over my head, feed me and give me a chance to further my education by paying for college.  Thank you for all you do and all you give to me.  Happy Father’s Day – I love you!

Isabella

Joey can’t put his words on paper as well so we downloaded a special message for dad….

So Happy Father’s Day to my hubby – we love you!

Thank you to all of you for being a part of my surprise for Freddy.  What better way to honor him, then to shout our love for him to the world.   We should all be as kind as him… including me!

I wish you all a wonderful Sunday and an even better week.  Happy end of school to all the students and teachers and us Moms who don’t want to do homework anymore!

Much Love and Peace Always,

Sandy

#empower #inspire #enlighten #bekind