I had the best dad

Dear Pastor,

I am a child of a married man. When I was 16 years old, I found out that my father raped my mother. However, my dad was one of the best fathers. He showed me much love and he supported me. I was the only child for my mother. They are now both deceased. My father had 10 other children in his marriage and we are all extremely close.

My point is that my mother didn't abort me, and when my dad found out that she was pregnant he stood by her. In the end his wife accepted it. She didn't like me, but she accepted that I was my father's child. I looked just like my father. As I said, I was showered with love by both parents.

J.

Dear J.,

I have found your letter to be very interesting. I am sorry that you did not say how you found out how your father raped your mother. It is true that your mother could have aborted the pregnancy, but she didn't. She carried the pregnancy, and now you are her only child. It is never good and acceptable for a man to rape a woman. Your mother never reported the rape, but it took his wife a very long time to accept you as a part of the family. Thank God she finally did. She did not doubt that you were her husband's child.

Your daddy did not run from his responsibility. He stood by your mother and he supported you. As people usually say, you look like the 'dead stamp' of your father. I am happy to know that all the siblings get along very well. I appreciate your letter. Thank you so much for sharing your story with the readers of this column. My prayers are with you. May the good Lord continue to bless you.

Pastor