People assume I am strong, have no feelings or just live some life and they don't know me. Father's day is probably the hardest day for me. My Dad, Harold Thomas Pemberton. He was stubborn, determined, driven and did I mention stubborn? His stubborn killed him but he also was my Daddy. I ran away in high school to CANADA from Florida. My Grandfather passed and my Brother who always has been my hero deployed. No sex stories or drug stories just probably a little to much Pat Benatar. I was with a girlfriend and it all seemed fine. After weeks we landed in Buffalo, NY. No money and no trouble but we called our parents. How I made it across the Canadian border and did not end up on a milk carton who knows. The girl I was with , well her parents flew up that night. My Dad drove up from Florida in his Fiero. So I had a few days in the hotel to panic. They had a watchful eye on me keep in mind by the staff. I thought this was the end of my life. I'm dead.
My Dad arrived and knocked on the door. Tears for fears could not save me. He asked me a simple question, are you hungry. I had been gone for three weeks. I was so we ate. The next day we loaded up way to much of my wardrobe and headed back to Florida. I was still expecting sudden death and all he said (the worst punishment) was do you know what you did to your Mother. This brings me to my high school graduation. I was in all honors courses but missed 6 weeks of school. My Dad drove me, picked me up and by hell or high water I was graduating. I did and on time. He ALWAYS fought for me.
My pageantry...my Dad started it and I was a mess as a teen. Then we were watching , "Life Styles of the Rich and Famous" and they were talking about a school called the , "American Academy of Dramatic Arts". My Dad said I bet you can never get into that school. Fueling my dramatic passion, I applied, auditioned and was accepted. The fee was crazy but my parents sent me to California. They believed.
I loaded up my Ford escort wagon and off I went. I stopped at rest area in Louisiana on I10 and was cornered by a white unmarked car. It was the police? I drive with two stuffed animals even today and my bunny fell out of the car. That's the day I met Danny Rollins.
My life changed but I went to California. I moved a lot from fear and attended the school. I was invited back but my Dad came and got me.
FROM FLORIDA HE DROVE for me.
I had an agent in Florida so I started working as a model and was encouraged to enter Miss Florida. I was a walking train wreck! By the grace of God my wardrobe was sponsored by Roy Speer and a man named Barry Loper who fought for me. My Dad bought my talent gown ($700)and told me I needed to do country. Best advice ever. He believed in me.
I won Seminole and went on to state.
I graduated college in June 2000. My Dad passed on June 7 and buried on the 13th. Father's Day was not what I hoped. I never walked.
I've learned not to expect but think about stories. We all have them and Father's are so amazing because its a love they may not let you touch (because they are strong) and they may not get things but as a Father they will ALWAYS GET YOU.
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