To the dads in my life

Richard C. Cochran Sr was my birth father and he lived with us until I was 12 years old. Some of the good things I remember were,

• He showed me that mountains were not all pointed.
• He caught a scorpion in the den and put it in a baby food jar with a liquid, I think it was rubbing alcohol. I carried it around for the longest time.
• He made eating mom’s great Tacos into a contest.
• He flew kites with us.
• He taught me to love and respect dogs.
• He loved my mom and they had five wonderful children.
• Sadly I only have pictures from his teen years and my parents’ wedding.

My brothers, Richard (Rick) Cochran Jr and Kevin Cochran are wonderful fathers. Each of my brothers have four children.

I also have two wonderful brother-in-laws, Gordon Stanton, married to my sister Angela and Bryant Greer married to my sister Darla. These guys have their own children and help parent all of my nieces and nephews (Angie and Darla’s kids from previous marriages.)

Then there is Vernon Curtis, who married my mom when I was a young adult. I have considered him my Dad for many years. My daughter Natelee as well as all of my nieces and nephews  grew up knowing him as their Grandfather. Vern has five of his own children.

Vern Curtis

Kurt Ware, my ? (ex-husband, best friend, and partner of 15 years) became a Dad when he joined my family in 1999. I had adult kids, who did not really know him, and Samantha, who was seven years old.  With absolutely no experience he learned to parent Sammy. I think he did a great job. They both loved basketball and played together all the time. Samantha moved out of our lives when she was 16.

When Joy Brown and her little family needed help, Kurt took three days off from work and we drove from Portland OR to Las Vegas NV nonstop. Once the trailer was packed we turned around and returned home. My grandson Xavier was three years old and Damien was born a few weeks after their arrival. They stayed   at our home. Kurt was not comfortable with small children at all, so he stayed away and viewed the kids from a safe distance. I encouraged him to get to know the boys and slowly he found small people are not so difficult to be around. By the time Damien was about 18 months old he started to be a contributing adult in the boy’s lives.

Now, they call him Kurt or  Grampa. Kurt has blossomed as a person, he now knows the unconditional love that comes so easily for children. I love to watch the three of them playing; whether it be at the park, in our home or at the garden. When there is more than one day without the kids Kurt misses them and nags me about the next time we are going to be with the kids. If it weren’t so funny it would be annoying. :)

Lastly, my son-in-law (by proxy) Charles. He works hard to provide for Joy and the boys. He is a good daddy and his boys love him bunches. He plays video games with Xavier who, at age 4 (about two years ago) was playing with expertise greater than a typical child. Xavier and Charlie frequently play video games together.