My father was my first love. He was a tall, handsome, strong, Bible-toting man who loved his wife and family. Dad worked hard as a self-taught chef at a prestigious hotel in Wisconsin. Although he was married twice, five children with his first wife and twelve with my mother, he always found time to make us all feel special.
On Sundays, we would load up the station wagon for Sunday school and return in the evening to a delicious dinner my mother had prepared. Dad would then sit in his seat at the head of the table and bless the food before we ate. Every night before turning into bed, Dad would study the Bible lesson for the next Sunday service.
I loved to sing, dance, and act. My dad and mom would always be at every event cheering me on (as long as I kept my grades up). Although I graduated high school at age 15 with a full four-year scholarship, Dad would not allow me to go straight to college. I had to work a year to learn the importance of earning my own money to help contribute to the things I wanted in life.
The first time I danced with my dad was at my older sister’s wedding. He was so tall, I just placed my feet on top of his and we seemed to just glide across the room. He bent down and whispered in my ear, “A lady always lets a man guide her and if it doesn’t feel right, he was the wrong man!”
“Back when I was a child, my dad would dance with my mother and me and then spin me around ’till I fell asleep and I knew for sure I was loved.”
The next time we danced was at my wedding reception. I didn’t want to let go because I wanted to always be Daddy’s little girl.
Shortly thereafter, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and things changed quickly. I flew back home from California to see him, but he was very weak. That night he took a bath and was too weak to get out of the tub, so he wrapped the towel around his waist and I gently lifted him up, placing his feet on top of mine. This was the last time we would dance.
“When I and my mother would disagree, I would run from her to him. He’d make me laugh just to comfort me and then finally make me do just what my mama said. Later that night when I was asleep, he left a dollar under my sheet. Never dreamed that he would be gone from me.”
Since I was diagnosed three years ago with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and needed dialysis treatments three days a week, whenever I hear this song, it gives me comfort and strength to go on knowing that my dad taught me to be a strong lady and get through life’s trials. He taught me that no matter what life may bring my way, don’t ever give up!
“If I could steal one final glance, one final stare, one final dance with him, I would love, love, to dance with my father again.”
Songwriters: Richard Marx / Luther Vandross
Three years ago, Charlene Tinnon-Powell developed CKD (chronic kidney disease). It has been a non-stop roller coaster ride with many ups and downs. After always being the caregiver, she became the one needing care. So her daughter and husband stepped right in to help with managing dialysis treatments three times a week, transportation to and from treatments and making sure she stayed physically and mentally uplifted through it all.
Last year, winning an honorable mention in the ‘RSN 21st Essay Contest’ reignited Charlene’s desire to go back to her first love …writing! Her first published book will chronicle her life from a young child in love with all aspects of the arts, which has taken her to many countries to meet some of the biggest celebrities in the world!
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