My Dear Zoe,

Here it is Father’s Day again. It’s sort of difficult for us orphans isn’t it? Big Roy would’ve turned 100 last year, I’ve been thinking of him a lot since his birthday last
November. I’ve been an orphan for 13 years now.

It’s funny, he and I weren’t close for most of my life. Your Mom was very close to him, you know, they talk about “Daddy’s little girl”, not Daddy’s little boy”!  It just seems to work out that way.

It wasn’t until after our Momma died and then your Mom died that I became close to him. He had no one else, and I know that it was just as difficult for him as it was for me to become necessary allies.

But, that’s what we became, and for two years, he depended on me willingly, and for that short time we became friends.

It’s hard for me to watch you grow up without a father and it was harder still to see you on your own without your Mom so early in your life. I know that you love Aunt Isabel and Uncle Lutie, but they aren’t your parents, and they are so much older than you.

Your Mom never told anyone who your Dad was. Even your birth was surrounded with mystery. Your Mom showed up at the homestead with you in her arms and asked me to “be” your Dad. My sister, your Mom, had quite the imagination to think that I could ever be an adequate substitute. But, we tried, and by the looks of you, we did all right!

Your Mom would be so proud of you. I sure am. What a brave little girl!

I don’t know if we need a day to celebrate Fathers, for so many of us, it’s just a game of make-believe. At least in that game, you’ll always be Daddy’s little girl.

Loving you,
Uncle Roy