The Life of a Single Father and Musician

I began my college career in 1999 by receiving a full scholarship to play Football at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. It was a true blessing as I fulfilled another dream of mine by playing with my cousin Andre Johnson while at Morgan State. Needless to say it didn't work out, so I transferred to Salisbury University in 2000 and graduated with a bachelors degree in Communications and Theater Arts in 2002. I bet your asking yourself why am I kicking off my first hub by talking about my college career??? Well, I considered myself a ladies man throughout college and when I graduated I wouldn't of thought in my wildest dreams I would be a father a year later. I will say this, my story of becoming a father is unique, so please lend me your ears for a few minutes.

A year removed from college I fell in love with a women that was already 3 months pregnant with a child from a former relationship. Yes, I can see how this looks crazy to most people, but I believe in God so much that I realized it was the path he wanted for me at this time. Wait, there is more...she also had a 2 year old son and neither of their fathers were apart of their lives. I remember telling my parents about it, especially my mother and surprisingly she didn't judge me at all; instead she just wanted to know if this was what I really wanted. It wasn't even a second thought in my mind as I started to love my now 11 year old son Isaiah Velez and was thankful I could fill a void in his life. I was able to talk, kiss and hug the belly of my now 8 year old son Ezequiel Jones and have been his father since birth. As the months went by I had made my mind up to do music full time and was working a Government Contractor job at The Pentagon as well. I don't miss the days of getting up at 4AM to commute from Baltimore to Washington DC for work by 6AM, work a 12 hour shift and get back to my house by 6PM. My schedule changed to 6PM to 6AM for a few years as well and it was tough because I would get home and my ex would drop Ezequiel off to me while she went to work because we both were supporting these lovable kids. Talk about lack of sleep, trial/error and sacrifice; the end result today proved that my faith in God was the right choice because both Isaiah and Ezequiel are great kids.

Unfortunately after 5 years in that relationship it didn't work out and their was even a period where my Ex didn't allow me to see Ezequiel and Isaiah for almost 5 months after being in their life non-stop for 5 years. There were nights I would just cry, but I made myself write them a letter every Monday telling them how much I missed them and how much I wanted to be in their lives. My hope was someone at their house would read them the letters one day, so they knew I didn't abandon them. It was truly a time of perseverance for me and a time when I could of gave up on God, but I didn't. He saw everything I was doing and rewarded me for my consistency by bringing them back into my life. 8 years later and counting I am DAD and their is no other comparison in Ezequiel and Isaiah's minds. I took on a huge responsibility at 22 years old, but I know til this day it was all apart of God's plan for me. Fast forwarding a little; my brother even told me by seeing what I did for those children spurred his wife and him to adopt a child of their own. I gave them the courage to know its alright to be parents to kids that may not share your blood. So many children are brought into this world, but the mark of a good man/woman is how you raise them, not make them. I have to thank my parents Tony and Michelle Parker for the great example they set for me growing up or I don't think I would of followed God's lead on this.

Okay, I know, I know...I didn't touch base on music too much in this first entry, but their is a good reason why and my next journal will shed light on that along with talking about the birth of my first blood child Kingston Noah Parker. I appreciate everyone who read this and I look forward to writing more because I believe my entry's can be an inspiration for so many fathers who need guidance in situations like this!

Anthony Parker aka Wordsmith

http://www.wordsmithmusic.com

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