A Single Dads Journey Towards Motherhood
By Jay Bartels, Fri Dec 9th

The rainy day made for a wonderful chance for the three of usto finally spend some quiet time together. Faith and Elissaclimbed into my bed and snuggled up to me, at the same timetaking all but a corner of my blanket from my prying hands. Itwas only 9:00, who wakes up this early, especially in the summertime? I slowly opened my eyes, and suddenly it hit me. My girlswere here, here in my home. In our home! Finally, I had mybabies, only they weren't babies anymore. My wife was no longerpart of our lives. She had long since lost control of her life.Her drug addiction had seen to that. I pray for her every night,that she might surrender and seek help, but it was out of mycontrol. If and when, she decides to ask for help, I will be thefirst one there for her. So now, I was all my angels had, as faras someone to care for them, nurture them, and provide for themas they deserved. A man could never understand how much time andenergy goes into being a mother. I for one, never thought it tobe such a big job, afterall I was the one out there everydayworking a job I hated and putting

the food on the table, as wellas paying all the bills. That was how I thought before. I now anew respect for motherhood and it seemed to me at the time thatI was way over my head. At that time, the girls were preparingto start at a new school. Elissa was starting kindergarten andshe needed uniforms for school. So off we went on our firstshopping excursion. Three hours and 2 advils later, we finallymade it back home. It was getting close to dinner and I decidedto take the easy way out and go thru the fast food window, whichseemed to please them just fine. And then it started to get alittle tricky. Do they take showers? Do they take baths. Do theybathe together. As the weeks passed by, I began to understandtheir needs, as well as their schedules. I was on my way. I wasbeginning to make the journey towards motherhood. I cooked themdinner, dressed them for school, drove them to practice,and yes, believe it or not, I even joined the p.t.a, along withthe other mothers. Two years have passed, the children havebecome little ladies. They are helping me in so many ways. Iunderstand my role as a father and I have learned that i cannever replace the special relationship a young girl has with hermother. I have no control over that and I accept it. I can onlydo what ever it takes to be the best parent possible for mygirls. God knows, I love them more than life itself, and weshall all live happily ever after. God Bless our children.

Jay Bartels invites you to his family site for more on his"Mister Mom" stories, as well of the the tales of "The FamilyGuy" at http://www.JaysPlan.com

About the author:Jay Bartels Is a single work at home dad bringing up two lovelydaughters, Faith, who is 11, and Elissa who is 7. The 3 of themlive in Boca Raton, Florida and are quite inseperable. Jay Has awonderful family site that chronicles his journies as a singlefather, which includes fun an inpirational tales for all. VisitJay at Http://www.jaysplan.com