As many of my readers know, I lost my second father, my stepfather, Martin, two years ago today. I thought it only fitting that I should share some of my memories on this occasion.
So please allow me to present to you
So please allow me to present to you
13 Photos of My "Other Dad"
1) I remember taking this photo when Martin and Mom visited Italy in 2006. There was a spot in the castle of Fontanellato I called "My Magic Window" because it lent itself to making great photos. I could always make a perfect portrait of someone if they sat there.
Naturally, this is one of my photos of Martin taken in that window, overlooking the moat.
Naturally, this is one of my photos of Martin taken in that window, overlooking the moat.
2) In Firenze, I told Martin "Look shocked at the prices!" in the Prada display window.
He obliged, of course.
He obliged, of course.
3) One of my favorite photos, ever. Martin and Mom in Correggio.
4) In Lago Maggiore, Martin filmed and photographed just about everything.
I repeatedly sneaked shots of him doing so.
I repeatedly sneaked shots of him doing so.
5) At one point during their Italian visit, both my families got together for dinner. This is one of my favorite photos of all time.
6) Martin was always up for just about anything. He was spontaneous and fun, and prone to, ah... the occasional outburst.
7) Martin was also open to direction. His sense of humor was surprisingly bawdy at times, too - which was a revelation to people who only knew him in his role as a Methodist minister.
8) He was also unstintingly supportive of his family, and always encouraged us to live up to our potential. Even when we got angry at him for it.
9) He was also loved animals. This photo shows Martin in Virginia in the mid-eighties with one of our kittens, the runt of the litter, whom I had dubbed "Stinky". (She wasn't.)
10) Martin and Mom in Lake Lure, NC, 2003. This photo was taken by the lake during Alle's first-ever visit to the States to meet me. Martin took us for a drive that meandered over the mountains, and that became something of a tradition over the following years.
The highlight of the day: Martin created "The Fudge Song", snippets of which are sung to this day.
The highlight of the day: Martin created "The Fudge Song", snippets of which are sung to this day.
11) Another mid-eighties photo from Virginia. This is Martin performing on the stage with a gospel singing group he was friends with.
12) You'd never believe it, but back in 2003, Martin wasn't entirely enthused that I was going to play host to someone I'd met on the internet. He changed his mind as soon as he met Alle, and it was only a matter of time before they got along quite swimmingly.
13) Martin had a substantial impact on the community around his churches as well as his friends and family.
We didn't get off to the smoothest start when I was younger, but over the years we came to a point of understanding I would never have thought possible. I only now realize just how much he loved and accepted me, and I'm sure he knew (and knows) how much I loved him.
His love and caring for my family - especially, of course, for my mother, but also for my siblings and and their families - meant the world to me.
I love you and miss you, Marty-man. Thank you for understanding me when you could, and for guiding me the best you could. I'm only sorry I made it so hard for you to do so.
I'm a better person for it, now.
We didn't get off to the smoothest start when I was younger, but over the years we came to a point of understanding I would never have thought possible. I only now realize just how much he loved and accepted me, and I'm sure he knew (and knows) how much I loved him.
His love and caring for my family - especially, of course, for my mother, but also for my siblings and and their families - meant the world to me.
I love you and miss you, Marty-man. Thank you for understanding me when you could, and for guiding me the best you could. I'm only sorry I made it so hard for you to do so.
I'm a better person for it, now.
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