Victoria Kennedy
to step back and let him be the man his father shaped.
Even though our own relationship ended with divorce
earlier than my son can remember, his father never
shirked his responsibility to our son, and it was one thing
I didn’t mind him inheriting.
My granddaughter is seven years old now and she is
the light of her father’s life. In a show of responsibility,
he transferred to college back home and continued his
education, while never neglecting his duties as a parent.
He continued his pursuit to be a writer, but his interest
shifted from sports to popular culture. He became a music
journalist and often included his daughter in articles he’d
write for both local and national publications. When
he graduated from college, his favorite girl was the first
person running to him for a hug and kiss. Now, they
ride along together in his car listening to playlists he
creates for their enjoyment, and once he wrote about the
experience for a weekly newspaper. He treats her like she
is the most special girl in the world and her eyes light up
when he enters a room, as if he’s the only man alive.
Lawrence’s work as a staff writer with a national
publication made it necessary for him to move back to
New York. One of the hardest decisions he had to make
was based on the best choice for his daughter and the
impact on her well-being down the road. They FaceTime
each other every morning, no matter where he is in the
world, and he visits her regularly, even coming in town
for her ball games and dance recitals.
As a twenty-year-old, Lawrence wasn’t ready to be a
father, but he didn’t run away. He didn’t make excuses.
He learned how to sacrifice, nurture, and plan, so he
wouldn’t have to get ready. Learning to be a father taught
him how to be a man, so he could always be prepared to
be what his daughter needs. I’m so proud of my son. He
was determined to be a great father and became a great
man, in the process.
Victoria Kennedy writes fiction. She contributed to The Dating Game anthology and
wrote a short story collection titled, Where Love Goes.