Thank you for sharing, it evokes very precious thoughts of what fatherhood is all about.

He read Shakespeare to us along with Dr. Seuss and named us after Shakespeare characters.

My name, Regan: means prince, or little king. It’s from King Lear.
Sis’s name : Ariel, from the Hebrew meaning lion of god. It’s from The Tempest.

Many adults were surprised that my sis and I as kindergarteners even could pronounce Shakespeare, let alone knew anything about him and his writing.
But that was Papa teaching us early that we had a powerful destiny.
That we were going to stand AS giants, not just WITH them.

He fed our intellect most of all, and with amazing efficiency.
Particularly it was his belief that black folks couldn’t afford to have stupid kids, and girls couldn’t afford to tolerate the fallacies and foolish entitlements of men.

He was a feminist before the word was invented.
He taught me how to box, run fast and play volleyball with a take no prisoners ferocity.
He encouraged me to take ballet because he thought ALL ballet dancers were the most formidable and underestimated of athletes.

We lost Papa to cancer when I was fifteen years old. He never saw me dance professionally. And he would have gotten the biggest kick out of me wearing the cape of one of the most popular women superheroes (Storm) and thought it totally appropriate for me.

I miss him always. He would have turned 84 years old this past May 8th.
He personified the courage of men that feel no threat from powerful women, and raise their daughters to realize that in themselves.

Thank you Papa…and thank you to every other father that helps their daughters AND sons realize the warrior/mother bear/spirit of consciousness in every little girl!

Growing up with my father was a blessing. He taught me so much. He was my coach and best bud when I was younger. I came out after I graduated from high school and things kind of changed. I know that he still loves me and we still speak; though it seems to hurt him to have a gay son. Here is my card to him:

Dad,

Do you remember when you would let me drive the car, eating Megabite popsicles, and drinking cream sodas during our daily commute? I miss those days scouting the new town to live in before the rest of the family would make the move.

Do you remember jamming out to “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith when you would work on the Jeep? I remember running around occasionally screaming when I stepped on a grass burr. You thought I was singing to the song. Haha

Do you remember when I fell the first and last time on the red track gravel from jumping a hurdle? I guess it only took once…

Do you remember setting up the watering system for the football field grass with the rest of the coaches? I loved helping out with the clasps between each connection.

Do you recall me scurrying around with the wires to your headset during football games? It was so great to hear you instruct from the sidelines and use the signals for formations.

Do you remember how bad we felt when I blew coverage on that wide receiver and lost the game for the season? You made it seem like nothing and taught me to prepare and practice to perfection.

Do you recall how jealous the other students were because I got to each lunch with my dad everyday of school? It was like we were best friends who lived together.

Do you remember writing me passes to show up late to class because I didn’t want to go when the bell rang for the end of lunch? I got to hang out in your class room and watch the students laugh at your funny teaching.

Do you recall the corny face I had when I won the state championship? I remember the 5:30 AM practices and all the injuries, but you were there going through it all with me.

Do you remember when we’d say, ‘How ‘bout them Yanks’ in front of the team? It was our way of saying ‘I love you’ without anyone else knowing.

I know that having a gay son is a hard thing for you to swallow right now. Please just know that I am and will always be your son who has some awesome memories to share with you.

How ‘bout them Yanks Dad!

Happy Father’s Day

Love always,
Garrett