I was very young and getting a dollar from your parents was a lot because it went a lot further than it does today. He came by to check on us on his way to work. His black car was double-parked on Linden Blvd. Before he got in the car, I asked him for a dollar and he gave me two and told me not to spend it all at one time. That was the last I saw my father alive. I came home from school and saw mommy crying. She was watching something on the news. “Correction Officer shot and killed visiting his mom. The hero was gunned down as he tried to help a woman during an attempted robbery.” And there was his picture, plastered on the screen. I don’t know why I remember that so well. I was young so I didn’t really understand that daddy wasn’t ever coming back. Even after going to the wake and seeing him lay there in that coffin, I still didn’t grasp it. I remember sitting on the floor next to my mom as she laid in her bed watching television. I was drawing on my chalkboard. I drew a picture (well stick figures cuz I can’t draw for shit) of my sister and I and my mom and dad holding hand. Then I turned to my mom and said “Mommy when is Daddy coming?” My mother broke down the truth to me that day that he was never coming back. That was the day I became afraid of death. In honor of my Father’s birthday yesterday 9/15, I celebrate the years that I was able to know and love him. It hurts me still but I am a product of greatness and I will never let him down.
For all of you with children; love them as if each day will be the last you spend with them because what you give your kids they will remember forever and a day.
Happy Birthday Richard Roberts.
For all of you with children; love them as if each day will be the last you spend with them because what you give your kids they will remember forever and a day.
Happy Birthday Richard Roberts.
Tawana, this is a very touching tribute to your beloved father. He died being a hero, that is the most amazing way to remember him. Your dad has the same birthday as my aunt Alma, whom I posted a tribute poem for her on the same day! I also lost my father, and he died exactly a week to the day after my aunt and your dad! As I have said in one of my poems, we shouldn't remember so much the way that they died, but more so how they lived. Thank you for sharing such a loving and heartfelt tribute. Your father is smiling down on you woman!:-)
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