53 bikers showed up in suits when school said fatherless girls couldn’t attend the daddy-daughter dance, and what happened when the music started made every single person in that gymnasium cry.
My daughter Sita is eight years old. Her father left before she was born. Never met her. Never sent a birthday card. Never even acknowledged she existed. For eight years, I’ve been mom and dad, doing everything I can to make sure Sita never feels that hole in her life.
But some holes can’t be filled by a mother’s love alone.
When Sita came home with the flyer for Jefferson Elementary’s annual Daddy-Daughter Dance, her face was glowing. “Mommy, can I go? Please? All my friends are going with their daddies!”
My heart shattered into a million pieces.
I called the school hoping there was some alternative. Maybe moms could attend. Maybe grandfathers or uncles. The secretary’s response destroyed me.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Patterson. The dance is specifically for fathers and daughters. It’s tradition. We can’t make exceptions or it wouldn’t be fair to the other families.”
“But my daughter doesn’t have a father. She’s never had a father.”
“Then perhaps this event isn’t appropriate for her. There will be other school activities she can participate in.”
I hung up and cried for an hour.
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