Fatherlove - Keeping Fathers Connected

2001 Father of the Year Essay Contest

ANNIE BERNHARD
THIRD PLACE
TWELTH GRADE
School: Shorecrest High School
Teacher: Mrs. Karen Mikolasy
City: Shoreline, WA

This is a poem that is to be read by two different readers: one for each column. It represents the relationships I have with both my dad and my step-dad.

I’m her father

I’m her step-dad

I raised her until she was six

I SUPPORT HER

I took over full-time in ‘87

I SUPPORT HER

I see her on the weekend

I see her during the week

She wants to speak French like me SHE’S A GREAT KID

She’s following my business path

SHE’S A GREAT KID

We love to go camping

We love to go skiing

She gets straight A’s because of me

She has good work ethic because of me

I taught her how to read…

……SO VERSATILE

I taught her how to drive…

…..SO VERSATILE

I showed her how to play guitar

I showed her how to balance her account

I rocked her to sleep when she was a baby

I wait up for her at night

WE LEARN TOGETHER

We watch movies

WE LEARN TOGETHER

We talk stocks

I take her to France

I take her to Whistler

I am rhyme

I am reason

I am right

I am left

SHE’S LIKE ME

SHE’S LIKE ME

She’ll be a great teacher

Managing a corporation

I CAN SEE IT ALREADY

Speaking to 30 wide-eyed kids

She’ll be wonderful in business

I CAN SEE IT ALREADY

Kids who respect her

Employees who adore her

BUT THAT’S WHAT I AM

BUT THAT’S WHAT I AM

I know she’ll be happy

I know she’ll succeed

AND WE WILL BE PROUD

AND WE WILL BE PROUD