Like many little girls who grow up without their father in their lives you spend your days envisioning what he would be like. Even though he chose to not be an active participant in my life I still held him to the highest of standards. Growing up with a mother who never once bad mouthed him I could only think good thoughts about him. But, deep down I believed he didn't like me because I was deaf and disabled. When I was about to graduate high school I wrote him a letter and asked him if he would come to my graduation. He drove to Maryland with my grandmother and younger brother and seeing his face was one of the best moments in my life. Since then, our relationship has blossomed into a friendship! Of course there are times where I still long for feeling like daddies little girl. But I'm an adult now. Today I sit in a space of forgiveness. I will never really understand why my dad shucked his responsibilities, but I forgive him for it. Today he is my friend. We watch sports together, we fish and we have great conversations. I'm lucky that my life is filled with more positive memories of him than negative. He's a good hearted man and sometimes fear will prevent you from moving towards greatness!! I love him dearly and I'm grateful that he's not just my father...but my dad!! Happy Fathers Day Dwight and to all the dads out there!!