Angelia Vernon Menchan
I didn’t grow up with my father. I knew who he
was, but he wasn’t part of my life. Unlike my sister
and others I’ve known, I cannot recall yearning for
him or feeling I missed anything. I was raised by
women; strong Black women. Marrying a man
devoted to me and his children was very important. As a result of my husband’s actions, I suddenly
had an amazing amount of time to be alone with
me. Cool! There were joyous evenings filled with
wine and books in bed, watching chick flicks or
some such. My man’s fathering had become a
boon for everyone.
M was a hands-on father from the beginning.
However, he was a full-time soldier and wasn’t as
available to my eldest as the youngest. He retired in
1999 when our youngest was just turning fourteen
and told me he was going to take over the bulk of
his rearing henceforth. I was not feeling that. I felt
this kid was smart, loving and mine. My baby. And
therein was the issue. He was mine. He loved his
dad but was tied to me. In 2017, I wrote a fictional account of that time,
Schooling His Son? which became an Amazon
bestseller and became gifts for men.
For several months I was bothered by it, they
were going to professional and college games, here
and there and I wasn’t part of it. But two things
happened, I started noticing something different.
More confidence in my son and a solid tie to his
father that at thirty-two, it is even stronger and he
admires no man more.
Now I’m watching my sons as amazing fathers to
their girls. They are involved with every aspect of
their lives, and before my eyes I see girls blooming
because they were first loved, protected, and
nurtured by their daddies. For me, the best work
I’ve been a part of is grooming my sons to be good
fathers, good men. I’m also grateful I was blessed
to marry the perfect model and example for that. A
confident man who proudly loves his woman, his
children and now his grandchildren.
This tribute to the man I love so dearly is well
earned, year after year.
Angelia Vernon Menchan is an avid serial writer. Her goal is to engage readers in ongoing stories
filled with people like them, who they can grow to know. Some will inspire love and devotion,
others rage and ridicule, perhaps. They will all inspire feelings and generate conversation .
www.angeliavernonmenchan.com
NKLC Magazine | 7