30 Days Of Thanks: Dave (Step Dad)

Dear Dave,

            Of anybody on my list, our past is the most checkered. I was just beginning my life as a teen when you and mom got married. I remember getting ready, putting on our tuxedos together. I also remember trying to enjoy the botanical center, only to keep getting bumped by the photographer.

            I know that things were strained between you and your sons due to distance and the normal strains of divorce. But I must tell you that I never blamed you or though that you were taking away my mom or replacing my dad or really any of those things that you see happening in after-school specials.

            Things were strained at the beginning for us because you were a practical man that fixed things and worked with his hands. I was a boy who was interested in video games and comic books. I pretended with my friends about superheroes and movie stars. Basically, I was a normal teenager, so what goes without saying is that I pushed the limits with people, was sloppy, selfish and a jerk. I can never imagine what it is like to inherit kids like that. Not only that, there were two other girls involved in the deal. From somebody that has a daughter now, all that I can say is sorry about that.

            Thank you for introducing me to football. What you started as a seedling of Nebraska Cornhusker fandom blossomed into a full-fledged fan of both Iowa Hawkeye and Green Bay football. In high school, I decided to stop being so lazy and joined the football team. I didn’t know anything about the sport. Touchdowns, hitting people and big guys. I was never really good at the sport because I never really learned the rules nor the plays. Plus I never had the aggressive and killer instinct for the sport. I remember one time when you showed me a hand-drawn picture of an erection wearing a football helmet, with the “Hard Nosed Huskers” written below. Some would say that it is offensive, crass and inappropriate for showing kids. I say that it was exactly how you relate to a teenage boy.

            Thank you for the time that you helped me make a jewelry box and birdhouse for gifts. You have an incredible gift for not only woodworking, but for a general ability to fix things. Thank you for the help that you’ve provided with finishing our basement. By the way, you were the inspiration for wanting to finish a crossword puzzle.

Adam