I just found out earlier today that one of the greatest men I have ever known passed away. Technically he was my Step-Dad, but honestly he was so, so much more to me than that. He was the man that stepped in and stepped up to being my 2nd Dad after my own passed away when I was 7. He was the one that taught me to be the kind of person I wanted to be. Someone who stands up for what they believe, to stand up and support your friends and family. The person that taught me to always do the right thing, not just when people are watching, but especially when people aren't. He was the kind of person who enriched the lives of people by just being in theirs.
He was the person I always measured myself up to when I became a Step-Dad of my own, and then when I had my own girls. He was my constant, and was always there for me. No matter how stupid the thing I did was, and trust me I could do some spectacularly stupid things in my youth, he never waivered. One of m fondest memories was the night my oldest daughter was born, she was a premie but healthy and when I got to carry her from L&D to the nursery he was waiting outside. I got to place my minutes old, 5lb 3oz baby girl in her grandfathers arms, there was no step in that moment.
Years later when I started loosing my gender battle my ex outed me to him before I had a chance to talk to him in person, then it still didn't matter he still accepted and embraced me. When I finally got to have a face to face with him and we were finished before I left he hugged me and told me, "I love you son... I guess that should be daughter now right?" This was from a 84 year old retired Army Colonial, who loved me unconditionally.
I will love, miss, and always look up to the man for the rest of my life, and will hope that someday I can live up to being the kind of person he showed me how to be.
The world has definitely grown a bit darker, especially for my family and myself. My heart hurts so much at the moment.
Much peace and love to you all, never forget to hug and tell the ones you love that you love them.
Rebecca.
Comments
I have been where you are.
Your immediate grief will fade some with the passage of time, but those who you truly hold in your heart will always be there. Take comfort in the fact that he loved you, no matter what and believed in you.
You have my most heartfelt condolences and my prayers for peace in your heart and mind.
Catherine Linda Michel
As a T-woman, I do have a Y chromosome... it's just in cursive, pink script.
I am so sorry for your loss
huggles, hon.
Loss of loved ones
it is hard to lose someone close and even worse when that person unconditionally cherished you for what you wanted to be. These persons are rare, but you know that. I hope that love and wisdom sustains you and your family through the dark days, and time helps heal the void of your Step-Dad's passing.
A strog relationship!
it sounds like he was a dream Dad, you relationship with him went through a massive challenge and he just shrugged it off and accepted you for who you are i am envious of that.
I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss, I hope you have other strong family members of the same caliber to help get you through this difficult time.
"Cortana is watching you!"
He sounds quite a man
I can understand your sense of loss.
Angharad
Heartfelf Condolences
Rebecca my deepest heartfelt condolences your loss of someone so special to you and those close to you.
Your grief is raw and hurts deeply at this difficult time, may your happy memories of your Step Dad support and sustain in the days weeks and months to follow. ((((Rebecca and Girls)))
Love and Hugs
SamanthaAnn
And I too ...
... add my sympathies.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I hope this will be of some comfort to you. I can't take credit for writing it. I don't know who authored it, but I thought it might help in the days to come...
I thought of you today,
But that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday
And days before that, too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
All I have are memories
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake
From which I’ll never part.
God has you in His arms,
I have you in my heart.
dallasgirl
SAD
I am so sad for your loss big cyber HUG to you, sounds like he was a great guy
He was a good man,
And the kind of father far too many of us wish that we had had when we were young.
He loved you no matter what, the best gift you can give him is to pass that love on to others that need it.
He'll be watching over you, and one day you will be able to see him again. Be yourself, with love for one and all.
^i^ HUGGLES ^i^
Shalom.
Blessed Be.
Thinking about my friend
Hey Becca, I am sorry for your loss. Well, you know full well you have someone looking down on you now. And smiling. He was obviously a good soul and appreciated that it's the person who counts.
Big Hug!
Kimmi