To Love, Honor and Cherish

by Timothy Paterson

  Chapter 27

  Two days later was Father’s day. Matt told Joe that he wanted to take Mary and him out to dinner to celebrate their engagement. He would not tell Joe where he was taking them, until they got there. When they pulled up to the Civic Center, Matt told Joe that he had made reservations the night before.

  They went in and found seats near the front of the auditorium. The room was packed. Joe was confused as to what was going on.

  Nathan Johnson, the president of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, stood up and went to the microphone to speak. The room quieted down and Mr. Johnson began; “Most of you know why we are here tonight. We are to honor a person of character, integrity, a person who has made a difference in the lives of so many people over the years

  Of course, the person I am referring to is this year’s Father of the year; Joseph Thomas Williams. Joe and Matt, would you please come forward?”

  Joe was still not quite sure of what was going on, but he went with Matt to the front of the room. Mr. Johnson offered a chair to Joe as Matt took the microphone. Joe looked out into the crowd of people and he saw Matt’s brothers, sisters, and Betty waving at him.

  Matt pulled some papers from a pocket inside his sport jacket. He looked at Joe and said “Joe, this is why I nominated you for Father of the Year.” Joe could see now, that Matt pretending to take Mary and him out to dinner was just part of the plan to get him to the Civic Center. Everyone quieted down as Matt began to speak.

  “My real father left us when I was eleven years old. He took all of our money from our checking and savings accounts and left us with many unpaid bills. After we lost our house, my mother moved us to San Francisco.

  My mother was barely able to support five children plus two more on the way. One morning, my sister Mary and I took the bus downtown to look at the shops. It started turning cold and it began pouring down rain. We did not have coats and we were soaked and chilled to the bone.

  Joe saw us shivering in front of Jack’s Diner and when he got out of his car, he gave each of us a jacket and invited us into the diner for lunch.”

  Matt took a drink of water and continued. “Mary and I had not had much to eat in a few days and we were starving. Each of us ate two lunches that day.

  After we had warmed up and we were full, Joe had a police officer drive us home. He gave the officer some money to give to our mother to help buy food and clothing for our family.

  Joe came to our house a few days later to meet the rest of our family. Over the next few weeks, Joe came over often, always bringing money to help us get caught up with the bills as well as to buy food. He helped us with our homework, played games with us and stayed with us, so that our mother could have some time to go out and have time to herself.

  Joe invited us to Thanksgiving dinner and then he invited us to move into his house with him. The house was four times as big as our apartment. Instead of five of us boys in one room, we were one or two to a room.

  I was at the age when I could not go to my mother with all of my problems and questions and I needed to talk to a man. Joe was always there. He built up my self-esteem and helped me to realize that it was not my fault that my Dad left us.

  When I was almost twelve, Joe told me all about the birds and the bees. He not only taught me the correct anatomy and physiology, but he taught me about relationships, about treating women with respect at all times. He taught me that it was ok to be a virgin and I shall remain one until I get married.

  Joe has helped me to become the man I am today. I have integrity, character and compassion because of what Joe has taught me. Joe was the person that encouraged us to help others in need as much as we could. Joe inspired us to start ‘Kids Caring for Kids’, which is now statewide and someday will go nationwide.

  Joe has been there to save our lives on more than one occasion. When my brother Paul was two, all of us boys were hiking with Joe in the mountains when Paul stepped into a hole and broke his leg. Joe splinted his leg, stopped the bleeding and carried him over two miles down the mountain, drove us to the hospital and stayed with Paul the entire time.

  When my mother went into labor a month early, the ambulance took too long to get to our house, Joe delivered my twin sisters and saved their lives, and then he saved my mother’s life on the way to the hospital. If Joe had not been with her, she would have bled to death.”

  Matt had to stop for a moment because he was getting a bit emotional. He took a drink of water and then he continued. “When I was in high school, I was choking to death in a restaurant and nobody knew what to do. Joe arrived just in time and saved my life with the Heimlich maneuver. If he had not arrived when he did, I would not be here today. I am certain of that.

  Joe has helped teach us how to drive, to cook and be resourceful. He has taught us to take responsibility for our actions. He has disciplined us when necessary and he has always made us feel good about ourselves,

  He has taught Sunday school, has been scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, Cookie Dad for the Girl Scouts, and he has coached soccer, Little League, and track. He has been our teacher, our support system and our friend. He has helped our mother to teach us manners, and helped us to become upstanding citizens.

  Joe does everything that a father does and so much more. No one has ever deserved the title of ‘Father of the Year’ or ‘Father of the Decade’ more than Joe Williams.”

  When Matt finished reading his essay, everybody in the auditorium was on their feet giving Joe a standing ovation. Matt gave Joe a big hug and both of them were misty eyed. Mary and the rest of the kids went up on stage to hug and congratulate Joe.

  Matt went back to the microphone and asked for silence. He once more addressed the crowd. “Joe and my sister Mary have had feelings for each other for quite a few years, but Joe never acted on those feelings until Mary turned eighteen. They have been dating for the past four years, and as of two days ago, Joe and Mary are engaged to be married. Even though Joe will become my brother-in-law, he will always be more of a father to me.” After more applause, Mr. Johnson presented the award to Joe and asked him to say a few words.

  Joe stood up and looked out to the audience and then at his family and then back out to the audience and then he began to speak. “This award is a great honor, but it doesn’t mean anything compared to Matt’s essay, or the love I receive from my ‘family’.

  Everything I am today, I owe to my parents; Tom and Sarah Williams. They taught me to ‘love, honor and cherish God, my family, friends and life itself’.

  After my parents died, I felt alone and empty inside. God had plans for me. He put the Rogers family and me together because we needed each other. God always has been and always will be the most important part of my life.” After more applause, everybody went into a reception hall to celebrate Joe’s award.

  As Joe and his family mingled with the guests, several of the guests who had known Joe’s parents, told Joe how much he looked like them and how much they missed his parents.

  Later, while Joe was talking to Betty and Mary, he saw his grandparents approaching from across the room. When they came up to Joe, he introduced them to Betty and Mary. “Mr. and Mrs. Williams, this is my fiancé; Mary Rogers and her mother. Ladies, these are my grandparents.” After exchanging pleasantries, Betty and Mary excused themselves so that Joe and his grandparents could talk.

  There were a few moments of awkward silence and then Joe’s grandfather spoke; “Joe, I wish that I could go back in time and undo things, but I can’t. I am so very sorry for the way I treated your mother and father. I was wrong. At the time, I did not think your mother was good enough for your father. I was wrong. It seems like they were perfect for each other.

  They must have been proud of the way you turned out. Mary is a very sweet young lady. If there is anything that the two of you need, just let us know. We have done ve
ry well over the years and we are worth several million dollars.”

  When Joe heard that offer, he got very angry. He responded, “I know how much you are worth and you can keep all of your money. I have over ten times your wealth.

  The difference between us is that I use my money to help those less fortunate than I am. I donate more money to charity each year than you have altogether.

  My father never wanted your money. All he ever wanted was your respect, love and approval. When you cut him off from the family, you changed him forever. My mother may not have been from a prominent family, or from a rich family, but she was kind. She was the most gentle, caring, compassionate woman that I have ever met. If you had just given her a chance, you would have found that out.

  I can forgive you, but if you seek my parents’ forgiveness, you will have to get it from them.”

  Joe saw how old his grandparents looked and he felt sorry for them. All of that money and they only used it to maintain their status in society. Joe shook their hands and then he walked away.

  Joe found Betty and gave her a big hug. “What was that for?” she asked. “For being a great mother to your children and for accepting me into your family.” said Joe.

  Sarah and Becca went up to Joe and handed him a card they had made for him. Joe opened it up and read it ‘To the best father in the whole wide world! We love you! Love, Sarah and Becca.’ Joe had a big smile on his face. He hugged the girls and said; “I love you too!”

  Joe felt so very happy and contented. He had a wonderful family and that was what mattered- family.