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This special day gives us the opportunity to thank our dads for all they’ve done to enhance our lives.
In honor of Father’s Day, we’ve invited readers to share examples of exemplary parenting. The responses you’ll see make it clear that a loving bond can come in many forms.
Each of these parent/child examples reflect a unique relationship molded by life’s circumstances and the personalities involved. We hope they’ll inspire our readers to think about their own families and the variety of ways in which we can model behavior and demonstrate our love for one another.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.
What a Gift
The best birthday present I ever received was my son, Keontay. He was initially scheduled to be born on my mom’s birthday, but decided he was ready to come into the world on my birthday instead.
This little mini-me has changed my life and made me more responsible because I have to set a good example for my son to follow, just as my mom did for me.
I’m a military brat, born at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. I know from watching my mom that it is very important to give children lots of love and always do what you say you are going to do.
We bonded as I learned how to change diapers, fix bottles, feed him and dress him. One time he threw up all over my shirt but it didn’t even matter. To watch this little baby grow over the last year has been amazing. He looks just like me and my mom says he acts just like me. I love music and I got that from my dad. I’ll sit in my room at the computer with Keontay on my lap listening to music and making CD’s. Keontay starts rocking to the beat and clapping his hands and does the same thing when we’re in church on Sundays. We play outside and I pull him around in his wagon or play with his rocking horse. I never dreamed that I would be blowing bubbles or singing nursery rhymes, but that little guy has made me do a lot of things. I look forward to the childhood things like graduating from kindergarten, playing football, and going to teacher’s conferences. I just want Keontay to grow up feeling that I love him and will do anything for him. I want to be his hero.
— Dontay Williams, Huber Heights
Daddy’s Helpers
My husband, Ted Loose, is a stay-at-home dad. We have 5-year-old twin girls – Sara and Kristi. I think they have a special relationship, and it shows in their interests. They love to dig up worms and hold bugs in their hands — not typical girly things. They also love to “help” in the garage — handing Daddy tools and washing the van.
— Mary Loose, Springboro
Always Helping
My husband, David Terrell, was a great dad to our four children as babies and now, as adults.
Our two daughters remember they would have to remind him it was bedtime as he laid in bed with them reading books!
He was strong with his spiritual convictions and his goal to raise them to be good thinkers. When video games came out in the ’80s, he told our sons that we would not have them in our home. They argued that their friends had them. He said their friends were welcome to our home at any time and that he would be glad to play Monopoly with all of them.
When our boys were young we farmed for nine years in Clinton County. One Halloween we invited their classmates for a Halloween farm party: hayrides, bonfire and games. At one of the graduations years later a young man approached me and said it was one of the best parties ever.
David graduated from United Seminary here in Dayton and has pastored at Quaker meetings, farmed, and worked as a case manager with people with mental illness. His example of service to our children has inspired them and led them to service-based lives.
Currently, David is spending three weeks with our daughter-in- law and their twins born in May in Brattleboro, Vt., while our son is hospitalized. He told me he was able to feed the babies through the night and allow their mother to have a full night’s sleep. That is the way he has lived his life.
— Nancy Terrell, Dayton
Yes Daddy
It was Daddy — Haywood Hairston Jr. — who took off work and drove me to the Cleveland Clinic on three different occasions, and although Daddy hates hospitals, it was him sitting in the waiting room while I had my spinal tap. It was Daddy I called whenever something went wrong in my apartment, or when the car stopped or my computer didn’t work.
We have spent so much time together over the years, doing everything like going to the movies, out to dinner, concerts, plays and cruises to just hanging out in the living room talking. We share the good, the bad and the ugly.
He always said “yes” – yes, you can win the spelling bee; yes, you can pass algebra; yes, you can get your college degree; yes, you can pass your state boards. Yes, you can, you have my support. What motivation!
— Ginger Bryant, Middletown
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