Dead Beat Dad Syndrome

Don’t you hate it when the man who gave you half of your genetic material doesn’t even acknowledge your presence? That’s exactly what I was thinking yesterday when I was at work and my father, a man who hasn’t ever really been there for me completely ignored me. As if I wasn’t even there.

I was at work (Wal-Mart’s electronic department) behind the counter helping a gentleman buy a GPS for his car. I had just happened to look up and see my father, and my stepmother. So I finished up with my customer and walked over to the camera display, where they were standing. I smiled and said hey to them and they ignored me, my stepmother, Tara, at least gave me a dirty look. So I asked if there was anything that I could help them with. He looked at me and then at my coworker, Ben, and decided to ask Ben if he would help them.

Now, I admit I knew deep down inside that it was hopeless for me to expect some sort of recognition. For years I cried myself to sleep because he wasn’t there. I asked myself what in the world I could have done to make him hate me, why didn’t he love me? Now I realize that he’s just a coward.

This is the same man who left when I was but nine months old. The same man who hit my mother and ran off with a sixteen year old girl. The same man who has more than five children by various women. Why should I ever have even wanted apperception from a monster like him? Today’s message- Be stronger than those who have hurt you, you’re better than that.