I've Been Thinking

I've been on hiatus from my column for about two months now. Basically, like the bear who hibernates in winter, only to reemerge into summer, I did the opposite...

The summer months were spent reconnecting with family, friends, loved ones and my precious, precious granddaughters!

On a weekend tryst to Wisconsin Dells, I got to watch the girls battle it out on go-carts, water rides and numerous things that my six year old never tired of screaming were truly, Awesome!

I took a solitary 12 hour trip back home to Mississippi on the mode of transportation I'd arrived into the city as a young woman many, many years before...A Greyhound Bus! You talking about taxing! that bit of nonsense caused me to write a travel piece for a magazine called "Going Back Greyhound"

Those days were memorable things I reflect upon for sure, yet, it was a invite from a writer friend of mine to an awards dinner hosted by Being Single Magazine where she is a contributing writer, that becomes the basis for this column.

The Chicago Magazine's Publisher, hosted the event, which featured honoring the achievements of single fathers. Hearing how these young men had stepped up to the plate to raise their children, in some instances, in the face of their absentee mothers, caused me immense emotions of joy and gratitude.

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I was seeing young, single African American men taking responsibility for their children, whereas a society condemns them for being unconcerned hoodlums, gangbangers and the like.

Although the Magazine had radio personality/cameras to record the events of the evening, I came away vowing to do my part to let the world know that, although there are some troubled young men of all races out there, many who father children and abandon them, leaving the mothers to struggle to provide for their child alone.

However, because I know that more and more young men are stepping up to nuture and provide the love and care their children need, I say; "Deadbeat Dads"? Yes, but, not all...

Clara B Freeman is a poet/freelance writer who advocate and counsels from life experiences. to comment on this article, or inquire about her work, email clarawriter@att.net