I Am A Father.

I am a Father.
Is it hard? Sometimes. Fun? Most of the time. But above all it is a blessing and a privilege. How did I do it? I don't really know. Probably by remembering some of the things my father and mother did with me. Some of that worked, some didn't. More than anything it was God's covering that helped me raise of Aviva Jaye and Odell III.

I have made mistakes. I can tell you a lot of them. You don't have to ask my children or wife Linda. But above all, I love them with all of my heart and soul.

When Aviva was born, I was 27 years old and had been in East St. Louis and working at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for a year. The day we brought Aviva home I knew that my life as just a husband was over. I was a Father. It was time to learn and try to do what my father did for me. It was my turn to provide, love, play with, sing her to sleep, hold her all night after she had gotten vaccinations, and create a nickname, Smeeba Girl.

Two years later, Odell "Mickey" III was born. Now there were two to raise. By this time I had experience, very little. At this point I’m 29 years old and still getting use to having a daughter. With Mickey came some of the same things. He needed me to provide for him, love him, play with him, sing him to sleep and hold him after he had gotten his vaccinations, but the nickname came from his mother. It was fun watching Aviva be a big sister and Mickey being the little brother.

As they entered school it was great to watch them learn and make friends. They finished high school and entered college to pursue their passions for music and art. Aviva graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a major in vocal performance. She is a member of the Matthew Santos Band and lives in Brooklyn, New York. Mickey graduated from Millikin University with a degree in music business and graphic design. He and his wife, Hilary, lives in Chicago where he works for Apple and is preparing to go to law school. He is also beginning to sing more and write music.

In all of this I just want to say to Aviva and Mickey on this Father's Day that I am very proud of you both. I congratulate you for making it through all the mistakes I made. You have made successes of your lives in spite of them. You have heard me say family is everything to me.

As your Father I just want to thank you two for being my children.

Love you with all my heart and soul.

Trust God,
Dad