I will never forget the day my dad walked on us. I was in my room playing with toys when suddenly my door opened, it was my mother. She said, “come say bye to your daddy.” I didn’t understand what she meant. Say bye? For what, he’s coming right back isn’t he?

My dad stood by the door with a suitcase and his briefcase. He had on a black apple cap and a brown petty coat that smelled like his favorite cigarette, Newport. He hugged me, not saying a word. He then turned and walked out the door and I didn’t see him again for many years after that. I was 11 years old. I was just starting my teen years, and I really needed him to teach me how to be a man. He left me.

From that point on I was on my own.

Fast forward a few years and I’m in the 8^th grade. My mom did the best she could, but I had no male influence. That is until she met David. At first, I didn’t know how to feel about my mom dating someone new. But the real surprise was that he was white. At first, I hated him. Who was this white man and why is he with my mom? I was embarrassed and shocked. The kids at school made fun of me. I didn’t know what to do. But as time went by, I started to connect with David, who we now call Sam. He taught me how to swim, and he was good to my mother. Especially in her later years when she couldn’t walk anymore. He would push her in her wheelchair all over the place. Through sickness and health. He lived up to that creed and then some.

Happy Father’s Day Sam. You taught me, a young black boy, what it was to live an honest life. To be a man. Thank you for that. I love you.