Tommy

Tommy and I (Personal photo)

Fearless, honest, determined, selfless, dedicated, and focused are some of the traits that Tommy has. I think these traits fit him in a category of heroes. I look up to him because he has made my life so much better in so many different ways. Tommy is like a father I never had. He has done so many wonderful things to make my life so much easier and better. Tommy is considered a hero to me because of him being able to step into our family and take on responsibilities that any other guys wouldn’t do. Tommy is my hero because he has been like a real father to me.

Tommy is my stepfather, Henry Thomas Barton. For a fifty year old man, he is handsome. He is bald, but has a beard that is grey, brown, and white. His eyes are blue with a twinkle in them. Tommy is tall and tanned. He has a good sense of humor, and also walks with a fast pace and his head held high with so much confidence.

Tommy and I from my graduation (Person photo)

I knew Tommy from playing softball at school and playing in a league with his daughter Paige. I was around ten years old when my mother and father got a divorce. Soon after that, Tommy came into my life. My father came around to visit us for about a year after the divorce, but then he stopped calling or visiting with us. He didn’t even call to check to make sure we were doing okay or didn’t even write us. I never wanted Tommy around until a year after the divorce. Tommy tried so hard to make me to like him. He would try to joke with me, take me shopping, or just to start a normal conversation with me, so that I would feel comfortable talking to him. He would try so hard to fit in with my brother and me. I finally accepted him because I knew that he would take care of my mother, brother, and me.

He has done enormous things for my family and me. First of all, he made my mother the happiest woman on earth. He showed her that no matter what happens, he would always be there for her to encourage her to do her best. He would do anything for my mother. He gave my mother so much love, and support. Tommy never yelled at her, always hugged and kissed her. Whenever my mom needed something or when she needed someone to go to, she always knew he would be right there. I never seen my mom so happy until the day she met Tommy.

Second, Tommy has done everything in his power to make sure that we got what we needed. Tommy would work about four extra hours a day to make sure we would have enough money to be able to go out and eat, pay bills, get new things, go shopping, and get whatever else we wanted or needed. Tommy went to every single one of my games, no matter what. It was very good to know that someone was in the audience cheering me on. When I walked across the stage to get my high school diploma, he was sitting a couple rows behind me where I could see him with a big grin on his face. He was very excited for me because he knew that I worked so hard at achieving my goals. I know that my real father won’t be at my graduation for college, but Tommy’s presence will give me the confidence that someone believes in me and is there for me. That shows me that he is trustworthy and determined to make me happy.

Tommy was the person I could run to when I needed somebody to cry on and was there to tell me everything is going to be okay. I remember when my grandpa died in 2005, I came home from a friend’s house and Tommy said, “Merissa I need to speak with you in the kitchen.” I walked into the kitchen not expecting the bad news that Tommy broke to me. He told me that my grandfather had passed away. I couldn’t stop crying, but he was there trying to cheer me up. Tommy held me so tight that I could hardly breathe. I could hear my family crying around me and at the same time I heard Tommy telling me, “It will be okay.” I smelt Tommy’s cologne and the flowers surrounding us in the kitchen. I can still remember that tight hug from Tommy because it was comforting. I knew that I could count on Tommy to be there for me in any situation.

I never thought that I would accept a man that wasn’t my father. I thought I could never trust someone to take my father’s spot. I was nervous that he was going to ruin my family, but came to find out he is the best thing that has happened to my family. Tommy is my hero and my father.