Friday, March 9

To my Papa - You weren't the first man I called 'Dad', But you were the only one to earn it

First of all I want to say I Love you, because I feel I do not say it enough.

Papa, you weren't the first man I called "Dad", but you were the first one to Earn it.

Thank you for always having an open listening ear, for all the late night conversations, where I could talk to you about anything and everything happening in my life - from all the juicy gossips to my hopes and dreams. Although you do not get enough credit for all that you do I really appreciate you, Papa.

Thank you for loving me as your own: I understand how hard it can be to love and accept someone else's child, and thank you for never making me feel like I didn't belong.

Thank you for teaching me that I am worth something: Thank you for always putting my happiness and well being before yours throughout the time. Thank you for making sure I never went to bed sad, for sacrificing sleep just to stay up talking to me about the things that were bothering me. Thank you for giving me the most honest advice you could possible give, and for giving me the strength to face life head on .

Thank you for being so forgiving. For all those times I lied, the arguments we would have over whether or not my point was acceptable. Throughout it all you never left. You never made me feel like I was a failure and you always, apologized for making me feel belittled or upset.

But most of thank you for stepping up and taking the place of a father: You showed me that a man could be kind and a father could stay. You picked up all of the broken pieces and filled the void in my heart. For that I cannot thank you enough. Any man can be a Father but it takes a special person to be a Dad. At times I struggled to bond, I pushed and pull your love away. But you remained steady. It's taken me time to realize that when a parent abandon's a child, it shows that child that they aren't worth knowing. But Papa, you never left. You knew how important it was for me to encounter a father figure that would never leave or forsake me. And that was the greatest gift you could have ever given me. And that is more precious than having a biological relationship in picture. For that, I can never thank you enough.

Love you Papa.