A true story of how five children struggled to find adulthood as they wrestled to escape the control of an abusive man. They called him Daddy.
"Take that illegitimate kid of yours and get out!"
Those were the first words I ever remember hearing from Daddy. I failed to understand those words, as a four year old at the time, but I will never forget his anger.
Daddy had a weakness for the bottle and it controlled his life. Hurting people hurt people, and Daddy was hurting. Life had given him many reasons for his pain. I didn't understand that at the time. I only knew that Daddy hurt all of us by his words and actions. Especially Mama. She took the brunt from all of his beatings.
I learned how to keep my feelings at bay, when I was hurting, with sugar. Just reaching in my little bag of goodies brought comfort. I could make my world disappear for awhile. Watching "Father Knows Best," was one of my favorite pastimes. I would dream of a Daddy who would love me, and call me his little, "Princess."
After many painful years, I discovered that I have a Father in heaven who loves and accepts me unconditionally. And being called "Princess," doesn't compare to all the enduring names that God calls me.