Letters From Home (8) (Father's Day)
My Dear Zoe,
Here it is Father's Day again. It's sort of difficult for
us orphans isn't it? Big Roy would've turned 100 last year,
I've been thinking of him a lot since his birthday last
November. I've been an orphan for 13 years, now.
It's funny, he and I weren't close for most of my life. Your
Mom was very close to him, you know, they talk about "Daddy's
little girl", not Daddy's little boy"! It just seems to work
out that way.
It wasn't until after our Momma died and then your Mom died
that I became close to him. He had no one else, and I know that
it was just as difficult for him as it was for me to become
necessary allies.
But, that's what we became, and for two years, he depended on
me willingly, and for that short time we became friends.
It's hard for me to watch you grow up without a father and it
was harder still to see you on your own without your Mom so
early in your life. I know that you love Aunt Isabel and Uncle
Lutie, but they aren't your parents, and they are so much older than
you.
Your Mom never told anyone who your Dad was. Even your birth
was surrounded with mystery. Your Mom showed up at the homestead
with you in her arms and asked me to "be" your Dad. My sister,
your Mom, had quite the imagination to think that I could ever
be an adequate substitute. But, we tried, and by the looks of
you, we did all right!
Your Mom would be so proud of you. I sure am. What a brave
little girl!
I don't know if we need a day to celebrate Fathers, for so
many of us, it's just a game of make-believe. At least in
that game, you'll always be Daddy's little girl.
Loving you,
Uncle Roy
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