A word for the step-dads
on Father’s Day
men who stepped into shoes
emptied leaving a big gap
hard to fill
Joe was one of those
stepping into my father’s boots
when Dad became terminally ill
removing fear of failure from
Mom’s list of worries
filling our refrigerator
trips to the farmers’ market
a case of beer a week for Mom
replacing the octopus of a coal
heating system so he could
remodel the basement for us
the list is a long one
he released my oldest brother of
financial obligations, allowing
him to fly away to his dream plans
placed presents under the tree
candy in the Easter basket
baseball bat and bike for Bobby
tap shoes & a catcher’s mitt for me
when a near-spilt came
we rooted for Joe
he got new respect from Mom
Bobby got college
i got a movie-star wedding
Joe got a family and all it entailed
including the love and deep respect
he deserved.
purplestoneblog 
Lovely tribute! Daddy was a step father to my older brothers and there was no line drawn. Just family as family.
LikeLike
too often we hear about the step dads who weren’t up to the job. thanks for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You made me cry. I did not know. I thought he came much later in Fort Lauderdale.
Another similarity in our lives.
I am writing now. I am not sure it is me or the other side okay with it bringing on the memories. 💜
LikeLike
Glad to hear you are writing. It comes when it comes. I have a way of thinking everyone knows what i know. i forget those who are younger….even son Ralph being the youngest had no clue about a lot of things.
LikeLike
I also had a moments with my youngest, Mandy. She had no memory of something I thought she would have remembered. It actually shocked me and prodded me to begin writing these memories down.
LikeLike
Beautiful. Happy father’s day to him, a true father in its sense.
LikeLike
Like everyone else in my family, he passed away too young. I’m the only one left.
LikeLike
What a nice reflection of his life. What a job that must have been to “replace the octopus of a coal heating system” and then to go on an remodel the basement for the family. I think he is smiling down on you.
LikeLike
thank you, i’m sure he is. He was very proud to walk me down the aisle.
and my father was sorry he had to leave us so young but an early death was his path this lifetime.
LikeLike