Many people have done nice things for me.
But a little girl broke me up and, at the same time, made me feel better about myself as a person.

I'm a divorcee with 2 grown-up girls, I have a great G/F with a 10 yr old daughter. She's a little ray of joy, an intelligent, caring and talented pretty little thing who doesn't deserve all she's been through. She was a miracle baby for her mother after years of trying and many heartbreaking failed pregnancies. Her father is a philandering thoughtless self-centred fuckhead with all the empathy of a rabid rottweiler. To cap all that, he's a control freak who's shacked up with a loonball violent drunk.
Over the last weeks I've been going with my G/F and her daughter to see secondary schools. Her dad is pressuring her to go to a particular school, pressure she doesn't need at the moment with the 11+ and her beloved grandfather in hospital, probably for the last time.
Anyhoo, when touring the schools I've been referred to as "Dad" by the staff many times. I gently point out (out of her earshot) to the staff that I'm not actually her dad. No biggie in this age of divorce.

A couple of nights ago I was sitting watching TV (ooh, how domestic!) with her snuggled in to my not inconsiderable shoulder when she asked "Does it bother you when people think you're my dad?"
I replied "Not at all munchkin, I'd be proud to have you as my daughter".

She thought for a bit.

"Sometimes people ask if you ARE my dad, I don't like telling them you're not, 'cos I really wish you were."

I found it hard not to cry.
I feel I wasn't the best dad I could have been to my own two daughters, too self-absorbed, too angry at the world, too tied up in my own career etc etc.
This little girl with all the world on her all-too-young shoulders made me feel I CAN be a better person.

I'm filling up.

Thanks to you Emily, I AM going to be the best dad in the world, you deserve it.
(Captain Placid 24/7 ball gags, brownie mix and clown porn, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 17:25, 11 replies)

OOHH
Made me fill up... at work too! (it is after 5.30)
(scowners shagged his mum on, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 17:32, closed)

Who are you
and what have you done with Captain Placid?

That's a lovely story.
( Bazongaloid, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 17:51, closed)

Ya big jessie!
*hugs*
( girlinthehole, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 19:18, closed)

Well done fella!
Stand up job you're obviously doing
( LemonEntryMyDearWatson This time, Moriarty, the hand is on the other foot, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 19:20, closed)

Awww
I also think I could have done things better but as far as I know I'm not going to be doing it again....

Well done you big old softy :-)
( Rotating Wobbly Hat That's not a banana. THIS is a banana., Tue 7 Oct 2008, 19:56, closed)

Weeps
and *clicks*
(posthumous mince is tiptoeing through the tulips, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 21:29, closed)

Awww
and click. And awwwww again.
(purplegod counting down for Christmas!, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 22:03, closed)

Great stuff.
As for me, when all is said and done all the approvals, achievements & accolades from friends & peers will pale in comparison to the quiet thanks & hugs from my kids.

Captain, the best bit is that your example to the rest of us gives us a goal to work towards in our relationships with our own kids. Well done.

*click*

Be it known that some day I intend to challenge for the 'best dad' title. I think there may be other contenders in the wings too.

I salute you

GM
(GMRage stood a little straighter, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 3:43, closed)

Soft Bastard...
*clicks*

It takes a big man to cry and an even bigger one to laugh at him....

Cheers
( Legless Mister Stabby - shanks for the memory, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 8:10, closed)

You've earned it
Good on you mate. That's no random act of kindness, it's a sign that you've really made a difference to someone's life, and it doesn't get better than that, for either of you.

*fills up*
(cheesehead, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 8:42, closed)

*sobs*
Yeah, you got me too... despite me obviously tough as nails...yeah...really...honest...just some dust in my eye...*dab* *dab*

:)
(EffinDoubt is breaking glass on, Thu 9 Oct 2008, 13:47, closed)