Something beautiful happened to me on Monday
By The Horse
@TheHorse (206843)
Walnut Creek, California
June 20, 2018 10:26am CST
As some of you know, I'm a kid psychologist and something of a "professional dad" to several kids around the Bay Area. When I worked in Oakland with the children of drug addicts, I felt appreciated by the kids (aged 1 through about 10), but I sometimes felt underappreciated by the parents and the "higher ups" among the administration. Raising kids right is hard work.
On Monday, I received a Father's Day card from one of my former kids. I worked with her from when she was five until she was about 12, by which time her mother was in transitional housing upstairs. We stayed in touch when they moved to Colorado. My little girl is now 20, and attending college! She loves art, and is good at it!
The card said "A man doesn't have to be your 'dad' to have the heart of a father." She added her own message, which was very sweet. Her card made my day, if not my week! Can you think of times when appreciation was shown to you, and it really warmed your heart? I'll attach a picture of my "pretend daughter" when she was 11, playing my guitar. She also got to ride my horse several times.
19 people like this
22 responses
@Marilynda1225 (80018)
• United States
20 Jun 18
That is so sweet to get such a heartwarming message from your "little girl"
It must be especially nice knowing you had such a positive impact on her 
4 people like this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
20 Jun 18
Wow! What a beautiful Card you received on the Father's day dear friend! I appreciate your dedication, care and concern for the kids. A small kid grown in front of you as an adult sending this Card tells a lot about your personality and approach towards the needy ones! I am impressed. She looks very beautiful in the picture! No wonder if you feel that she made your day....as she really has made your day indeed! Stay blessed dear friend! Very few people in the World get such warm and heartily
recognition!
recognition!3 people like this
@vandana7 (99009)
• India
20 Jun 18
Nothing as beautiful ...now that both of them are going to school, I am sort of becoming history to be forgotten, sometimes I do see that kind of love but ...not something like that. In February end I was down, princess I believe pestered her grandma to make some traditional soup for me to reduce my fever...atta is sick, make it for her. I hate it when kids grow up and forget you. In two years or so, they would be perfectly aloof.
2 people like this
@vandana7 (99009)
• India
21 Jun 18
@TheHorse I told you before once they are beyond five, I tend to cut myself off...I still remember prince charming coming to my home early in the morning...to get his shoe laces tied, and many times running to my home without a stitch on...and jumping at the sight of me from the arms of others. While Princess has not been as loving in early stages, from about 1 or so, I can feel her wanting to be more with me. But then she will forget me faster, isn't it? At 3 and a half if she has asked her grandma to make soup for me, she must have a really caring heart...or so I tell myself. LOL 
May be I expect too much.
May be I expect too much.2 people like this
@TheHorse (206843)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jun 18
That happens to preschool teachers. I still get hugs from SOME of my former girls. And some of my former boys like it when I throw a football with them. But some are seven and "too cool" now. I don't remind them that I used to wipe their tushes before they knew how.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
20 Jun 18
That is special. To have her remember you on Father's Day shows that she has you in her heart also.
I'm going to speak up on something that this post inspired. I'll do it here because you deserve most of the credit. How you are with and what you do for children puts me in mind of Michael Jackson. I think that he loved children in the same way and did just as much for them, but his actions were severely misunderstood by the public and his name/reputation shattered because of it.
He was surrogate father/big brother to many children and he was so underappreciated for the things he did for them. Personally, I am a huge Michael Jackson fan, always have been always will be despite what people may say about him. Children were a huge part if his life, both his own children as well as all the 'friends' he took under his wing gave his attention, time and love to.
The world needs more people like you and him.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
20 Jun 18
That is the sweetest thing! I am sure that warmed your heart. =)
2 people like this
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
21 Jun 18
Your little girl's blessing on father's day is so wonderful. Very touching. This is the reward you paid for her.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
20 Jun 18
Those sentiments are worth more than material things. What a thoughtful young lady she is and you obviously helped her immensely! Well done that man!
2 people like this
@Hannihar (129600)
• Israel
21 Jun 18
@TheHorse
It sounds like a very special card you got from her. That was really special what she wrote and so true. When people let me know something I made and they bought that they liked it really made me feel good inside and outside as well. Also when people would tell me they like my tables with my products on them and all the stuff on them and that also made me feel very good.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
20 Jun 18
Ohh , that's so sweet message you received from your little girl..
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206843)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jun 18
@Jessabuma I'm going to try and make it work.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
21 Jun 18
@TheHorse I hope you can visit them.. it would be fun.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157692)
• United States
21 Jun 18
Oh, that is so awesome. My daughter is very good at making me feel loved and appreciated. Son, not so much, he is the silent type.
1 person likes this
@cherriefic (10400)
• Philippines
21 Jun 18
Aww. That's just touching! Appreciation is all we need sometimes.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
20 Jun 18
Aww, that is just so awesome. You are a good man.
Yes once I fed these little girls in the neighborhood, they would come around and play with my nephew, their parents were drunks. When they were around the same age as yours they seen me in the mall and told me thank you. It did make me feel like I had done something right after all.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58290)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
20 Jun 18
That is adorable! What a wonderful thing you do with these kids.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
6 Sep 18
The affection I showered my niece was reciprocated when she would call me and check up on me why I wasn't able to go to work when I had my tooth extracted. We eat at the same place and when I didn't show up for lunch that day, she said she missed me. Her thoughtfulness warmed my heart. She is 6y/o.
