AT FIRST IT WAS NOT EASY when my mother passed away. All of a sudden it was just my dad and me and the scary thought of life without one of my parents.
When my friends went to buy their eighth-grade dance dresses, or get their first manicure with their mothers, I felt a little jealous. But this feeling never lasted long because of the strong relationship I have with my dad and with my Father-Mother God.
My dad manages to succeed in a very demanding job, pay for all of my needs, and still has time to nurture me enough for two parents. Sometimes I felt my dad was really superman. When I was in fifth grade I seriously contemplated the idea! But I later realized that what looked like my dad having magical powers to make everything work out so well was not really magic at all. I know that my dad has been able to provide for me so well because our Father-Mother God is always guiding and caring for both of us, often in ways we could never have guessed.
Even though I missed out on some typical mother-daughter activities, I never felt I lacked anything because my dad was there for me all the time. I don't think he missed one of my basketball games in all four of my high-school years. He always has a listening ear and is very patient with me. We have grown so much and been through so much together that I cannot imagine having my experience turn out any better than it has. In every time of need, I turned to my dad, who turned to God, and we were never disappointed with the results.
I try to make my dad feel proud every chance I get, be it in the form of good grades, or doing a good deed for someone. Even though right now we may be separated by 300 miles of highway while I am at college, I can still feel the many ways my dad continues to care for me, and the ways that God is always caring for both of us. My dad is truly the archetypal Mr. Mom, and I would not trade the lessons I have learned with him for anything.
