GOODMORNING,
In august of 2001 my eldest daughter became a freshman at alfred university.Before enrolling her i investigated it and found it clean,faculty cordial, foundationally started as a baptist university,good acadamic reputation and so on!
Then we went to the joint parent/student orientation and despite it was apparent some of the faculty where still stuck in the 60's i decided to let my daughter attend.
Some background,my children grew up in a conservative christian home,dad is former marine,mom is loving, artistic and musically talented.I grew up in a city neighborhood,so i made sure the family did not live in a combat zone.No dating unless dad met the suitor and parents.Girl's where a little embarrased but it went well because there first dates where senior prom and everyone stayed clean.
The fall of 2001 i would often bring dads home-made pasta,pizza or some other dish down for her and her dorm mates.Kids where allways thankfull and we allways opened with prayer,and at this point dad is thinking everything is fine.
The spring of 2002 at one of now DAD'S renowned food trips a faculty member was there and told my daughter prayer was not appropriate,after biting my toungue i kept my calm.I have been in the secular world as i am in realestate development and commercial construction.I know that values outside of our small baptist community are different.
I walked the halls and saw posters of openly gay/transgendered school events.Now i am getting angry to biblical proportions however the calming influence of my dear wife calms me.
The summer of 2002 my daughter comes home after freshman year.Dad is happy to have the whole family unit back intact.
Do not remember the exact saturday,however dad's cooking,moms doing flowers,kids are all on the computer,music is on,all's well!
Then my daughter tells me we deserved 911!!
I go ballistic!
She being a carbon copy of dad with different plumbing digs in.Then for three years my daughter and i have very limited conversation.Things get more distant.She goes to europe on a intership and as it turns out is chasing some euro-trash with tribal tattoos.The family says it is because i am a control freek.Some say it will be ok,she is just being a kid.I am devasted because all the fine upbringing and nutureing has led too this.
I know i am ranting,however am not one too baseline where others are or where their families are,i just care about me and my own.
May 6,2005 was senior art shows and i knew dad being there was important.Without many details other than naked boys running around with angel wings i gutted it out.
May 13,2005 graduation,even through 6 years in the corps,two assc.degrees,one b.e.and one mstrs. and not having parental fellowship and plain pissed off over the whole situation,i knew dad should be there.
June 19,2005 FATHERS DAY,my daughters present to dad,a embroidered american,marine and baptist flag.
With tears,dad said thankyou!
I believe in GODS GRACE AND PRAYER!
GODSPEED!
I was so very moved by your story, as I was a lot like your daughter.
God bless you both!