Step Talk

I was out of town so am just seeing this . . . what do you think? oh and p.s. my SD called her dad today, after 3 mos.! and of course we were glad to hear from her.

TRIBUTE TO STEPFATHERS PAYS HOMAGE TO OVERLOOKED DADS By Abigail Van Buren
Sun Jun 15, 7:58 PM ET

DEAR ABBY: On Father's Day many stepdads are often underappreciated or excluded, so I wrote this poem to honor these unsung heroes. I hope you'll put it in your column, so my husband -- and other stepdads everywhere -- will know it was written for them. -- LESLEY STITT, ONTARIO, CANADA

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DEAR LESLEY: In these times when blended families are common, your tribute is clever, appropriate, and certainly worth space in my column. Read on:

NOT HER FATHER
Hey, it's really not "your day."
I just don't know what else to say
Because, you see, you're just a "step,"
You're not her dad -- you're just a "rep,"
A stand-in really, rest assured
You're only there to be endured.
Oh! Unless she needs a ride,
Or someone there to take her side,
And please have money you can lend;
'Cause that's when you will have a friend.

She's NOT your daughter, though, be clear;
You're not her dad, just someone here.
There's really lots for you to do;
And you get all the "good jobs," too;
You get to worry when she's late,
Pick her up from her late date,
Comfort her when she's in tears,
And try to calm her teenage fears.
And you will get to love her, too,
Even though she won't love you.

You'll get to care for her each day,
And see my daughter doesn't stray
From rules that you will get to make --
She won't admit they're for her sake!
She thinks stepdads just aren't "fun,"
You're just as boring as her mom.
You're only there (you must concede)
To see that she's got all she needs!
Father's Day? Nah, she won't bother
Thanking you -- you're not her father!

So let me do it in her stead,
As I have done since we were wed.
Thanks for all the things you do,
And all you are -- I love you, too.
Happy Father's Day.