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Special fathers, special parenting

Submitted photo Ginger Bryant and her daddy, Haywood Hairston, Jr.

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Submitted photo (L-R): Ted, Sara and Kristi Loose on a worm finding expedition where Kristi is holding one.

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From the time Zoe was born, Steve pitched in changing diapers, bathing, feeding and doing the everyday parenting. He gets right down on the floor with her to play dolls, paint, make figures with playdough or play whatever her favorite game of the day is. He has taken Zoe to a variety of daytime enrichment classes since she was 4 months old. They have had fun in several music and painting classes as well as gymnastics and swim lessons. He really is an amazing dad, and Zoe adores him.

— Bree Langemo, St. Anne’s Hill, Dayton, and mother-in-law Leslie Gronneberg of

Arizona

Getting a Jump Start

Tim Bartlett started out as a father with premature, identical twin daughters sent home with apnea monitors that went off constantly, day and night. Tim was present from the beginning, changing diapers, getting up with his daughters, giving baths. A son arrived two years later, then another set of natural, identical twin girls were born.

Tim expertly has taken care of all five when his wife, Cori, works as an RN. He works full time and still manages to take time off for special events for his kids. He is always reading books (using funny voices), playing games, doing puppet shows, and making the kids laugh. He is a role model father because of his love of his wife and children and his deep faith.

— Mother-in-law Pat Acker, Beavercreek

Dad Storms In

I was adopted at the very young age of 9 months and have had the most wonderful loving parents anyone could ever have hoped for. My father, known to most as “stormin Norman,” entered my life that day and I cherish him, love him and am thankful that even though my parents could not have children that they “chose” me to be their very own.

My father is a loving man who enters people lives and nurtures them, cares for their needs forgetting his own, and would do anything to put a smile on someone’s face or make their life easier. A church going-man whose faith in God is very strong, my father believes that every person has “goodness” inside of them just waiting to shine. He has always stressed that life is good and that we should understand that we make our lives what it is.

— Suzanne Bergman, Dayton

Everyday a Blessing

I have had my father, Bernard Sheppard, in my life for 50 years. I was unable to have children, and my father has been my life. We fish, watch movies, listen to music, attend church and have many common interests.

In 2008 my father was diagnosed with late stage prostate and bone cancer, and is terminal. We make the most of everyday; it is like a gift. He never complains of pain, and does not want to be a burden. He is in remission at the moment, and I am so thankful that I have his love, support and guidance. He tells me I will always be his angel, his little girl.

Some people look at parents as a burden; I look at it as a blessing.

— Bernardine Sanders, Lebanon