This is my open letter to all of the men in my life…..
Pops: We never met. I dream about you often. I know that it is because of you that the men in my life are here. It was you who set the example-you shaped these fathers, brothers, husbands, cousins, uncles, and friends to be who they are. I know that its because of your love that I feel the love from each of them. I love you with all my heart never even knowing you- but knowing all that you contributed to the men that protect and love me is greater than you will ever know. Thank you Pops and rest peacefully.
Daddy: Well Daddy what can I say? I am so thankful for you. We had gap in time where we were not together but when we finally were able to connect its been beautiful. I honestly didn't know who I was until I met you. A large part of me was missing and I didn't know why. I had this dimple on my left cheek that I thought I created as a child by poking my finger in my face for like 2 weeks straight. When I was 19 and you came and picked me up from the airport to visit for the holiday- we were both chewing gum and there it was- the same dimple….so as far as we were from one another we were still apart of each other. Our relationship has grown into one that I will always cherish forever. I can come to you in times of happiness or sadness. I have shared secrets with you that I have not shared with anyone else and you have helped me make decisions that increased my life. I value you more than you may know. I thank you for your wisdom. I am a better woman who is more complete now than before and that is because of your love. I thank you.
Rich: My BIG Brother. Growing up I always wanted a big brother. Then the day I found out that I had two???? I was shocked! Not only was I immediately in love with both you and Tom with out ever knowing you, I felt like God would patch everything up and we would start off like we never missed a beat…and I was right! I know that it was Pops leadership for the family that helped contribute to the man before me. You are an amazing example for anyone that wants to have a family. I have never seen such dedication and love for your wife, and children. You are the best big brother I could ever ask for, and although I don't see you very often you are never too far for me to reach out and feel the love when I need it. Thank you for your example. I love my amazing niece and nephew and sister in law-they are all so beautiful and I am so glad to be in this family!
Tom: All of our Big Brother. I have two things that will bring me to tears at any moment. 1) Thinking about Pops and all the kids growing up knowing him, and when I finally make it to Utica he has since passed on. 2) Never meeting you. I was so close to you in May and when we didn't connect I was so sad. I only wish I knew how close we were before I was coming to allow more time for planning, visiting, etc… but I know how life can be. It meant the world to me just hearing your voice. Ive been told that you were the rock of our family and the one that held it down. I want you to know that I love you and I know that we will see each other soon. Continue to do everything for your family and know that I pray for your life and your success daily.
Bryan: My favorite cousin. I remember when I met you I was in awe of how much you looked like my Daddy Q. It was like I was with him! You were always so welcoming of me and I appreciate that. You are an amazing family man-what a grand example of what kind of man I should marry. You are loving, compassionate, responsible, joyful, giving, self-less, hard working and whoa I could go on! I love Max and Florence and I am so happy to have them as family. You did an amazing job! I know that my daddy and your daddy (Uncle Bernie a.k.a. Black Santa Claus) were major in your life and I am thankful that you were surrounded with such great men!
Lou: My little brother-who is bigger than me :-) What an amazing kid. When I first met you- you were 3 years old and learning to play an electric guitar. I knew then how special you were. Now you have grown up into this amazing young man with so much to live for! I am so proud of you and I can't express it with words. If I could just hug you and not let go for like 30 days then that is what I would do. I pray for your success in everything that you do. You have the support of us all. I pray that God continues to bless your life and I pray for your happiness. You make me so proud. I will always route for the kid!
King: Wow. This is the first time in my life that I feel like I have won. You changed the way I viewed loving a man. When I look at you- I see all the greatness that resides in each of the men in my life. You have proven over and over again to be a great supporter, a great provider and a great shoulder for me to lean on. You give me strength and confidence when I am feeling a little low. You inspire me to push harder and not to give up. Fatherhood. You defy all of the stereotypes that exist about young black fathers. There is a little girl in our living room that says Daddy at least 50 times a day of not more. She beams like I have never seen every time your name is mentioned or she sees your face. The love that you show with your support and your drive to be a better man because she is watching needs to be praised. The most important relationship a girl can have is with her Daddy. He will shape the kind of partner she allows in her life. Continue to show her love, support, strength. Continue to honor her and put her first. Continue to help shape her decision making. Continue to push her to be the very best Brooklyn she can be. When she knows she is loved she will never have to go looking. Trust me on this. I learned this lesson late in life, but the important thing is that I learned it. My relationship with my daddy is what helped shape the woman I am today. I am still growing, learning but I am happy and content because I know that I am loved. Thank you.
I want to praise you with this open letter on fathers day.
To All The Men in My Life. I want to thank you. You are all amazing. Happy Fathers Day. I love you each. I wish you each success, much love and continued blessings from the very bottom of my heart.
XOXO LoveYour Sister, daughter, cousin, niece, girlfriend.
Vonnie
