When Dads Walk Away…. {Slice of Life}
What happens when dads walk away? As a ‘dad-less’ daughter, I know kids are left behind to wonder why. Why did he go? Why didn’t he want me? What did I do wrong? Why didn’t he want to be around? What could I have done differently to make him stay? Or, worse yet, kids left behind think mom pushed dad away, and surely, if mom had done things differently, then dad would’ve stayed. It’s her fault. As a teacher, I see the fall-out, too. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes blatant. Always painful. Last month, I asked my juniors and seniors to develop a written piece for National Day On Writing (#NDOW). I provided three photos and asked students to choose one (or…
29 Years Ago: Slice of Life
I can’t believe it’s been 29 years. The fear is still palpable, a lifetime later. Board the bus. Board the plane. Sit quietly, nervously. Waiting. Short flight ~ Miami to Orlando. Plane lands. Board the bus. Recruit Training Center, Orlando. My new life begins. Uniform issue, hair cut, shots, ushered to barracks. Midnight? 1:00 AM? The air was cool that November. The night was still and quiet, punctuated by the barking orders coming from left and right. Didn’t matter how cool it was. I was sweating. Teeth chattered. Scared out of my mind. Eyes straight, recruit! Heels to toes, recruit! No talking, recruit! No crying, recruit! You belong to Uncle Sam,…
