“Dads for My Daughters”

[seabeyond]

His thoughts immediately turned to his girls. And what would happen if he died and they were left fatherless. In the middle of the night he came up with an idea – contacting six of his closest friends and asking them to be there for his girls if he died. He asked them by reading each a letter he wrote - “ Dear Friend, As you know, I recently learned that I have a seven-inch cancerous tumor in my left leg. That afternoon, Tybee and Eden, who had just turned three, came running to greet me, laughing, giggling, and falling to the ground. I crumbled. I kept imagining all the walks I might not take with them, the ballet recitals I might not see. Would they wonder who I was? Would they yearn for my voice? I believe Eden and Tybee will have plenty of love, plenty of opportunities in their lives. But they may not have their dad. Will you help be their dad?”

All six men said yes -and Bruce created for Eden and Tybee what he would call “The Council of Dads.” A group of men who would be with him, his girls and his wife as he fought this rare and aggressive cancer.


http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/30/what-would-you-do-if-you-thought-you-were-going-to-die/?hpt=Sbin



the story touched my heart

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. The toughest part of this whole thing...

has been watching the yearning on my son's face when he sees other kids with their dads. Knowing that, even though I can put a spiral on a football, I will never be his dad. I am forever grateful for those men in our life that have reached out to just hang out, talk and be there for James. It will never be right. It will never be the same. But for a few minutes, when his Uncle Luke walks in the door, or he's talking to my brother on the phone, he's a Daddy's boy again.

Thanks for sharing this. I need to go cry for a bit now.

[seabeyond]

3. chills. yes.

society as a whole, in not a purposeful way i think, diminishes the need for dad. shouldn't be. not true. dads are so important.

i felt the same to, so in a hug, i cry with you.

[d_r]

2. OK I'm going to go home and hug my daughter now

[seabeyond]

4. yes.

i hear you.

[mimitabby]

5. we used to call them Godfathers (and Godmothers too)

I always enjoyed a special relationship with my godmother, above all the other aunts I had. They swore they'd take care of us in case our parents died or couldn't do the task.
YOur idea is nice, though, and more modern.

[seabeyond]

6. wasnt my idea. was a man looking at death with a couple young daughters. but you are right

we were willed to a single uncle. he did have a specific connection with us when we were young. and my kids are willed to my husbands brother. and there is the sense of creating a bonding relationship already.

thanks for the reminder