By Rayne Wilcox / LifeAtStart.com Reporter
Children deserve to grow up under the care of two parents, but unfortunately not all children are fortunate.
Growing up, I had my mom and my three older brothers and saw my dad three times out of the year. We were suppose to be together on holidays and weekends, but he was at the bar instead.
When I was around 10 years old, my dad and his girlfriend at the time were talking about going to the fair in Findlay. I was excited, because I thought my dad was going to spend time with me for the first time in what seemed like forever.
My dad ended up dropping me off at my grandma and grandpa’s house and took his girlfriend to the fair without me. This would be one of many times that he did so. Thanks dad, you let me down once again.
I am now 17 years old, I haven’t seen my dad since February and he hasn’t answered my calls or text messages in what feels like forever, but it’s only been five weeks and I’m the one who’s paying the price for caring too much.
I owe everything to my grandpa who was there for me at my brother’s funeral, clothed me on the weekends I was there, and for yelling at my dad when he didn’t take care of me. Sadly, even after my grandpa’s death my dad still hasn’t learned.
My stepdad stepped into my life when I was 6 years old. I owe a lot to this man for taking the role of being the father figure in my life. He annoys me to the point of going insane, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It hasn’t been all bad, and I have been fortunate to have strong male role models in my life.
I know that there are some kids out there who are in the same boat with their father, but don’t think that it is your fault. It took me all the way up until now to finally realize that it wasn’t anything that I did to make him leave. This was all on him. The same goes for you.
I always thought that it was something I’ve did to make him do what he does, but as I got older I realized that it has nothing to do with me. My dad has always been this way and there is nothing that I could do to change him.
I can’t help that he likes hanging out with his friends and drink beer more than being with his only child. I hope one day my dad will come to his senses and be a father, but until then I’ll stop wasting my energy on someone who doesn’t care.
Contact Rayne at [email protected]