#GirlDad | 10 Lessons I Learned From My Dad

By Dorsha

#GirlDad | 10 Learns I Learned From My Dad is a tribute to a single father who raised his daughter from 5 months old. Dorsha, who serves as both a government and nonprofit executive, shares ten lessons or Daddyisms she learned from her father, which shaped her ability to be successful in life through discipline, discernment, and dependability.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781312013056

Book preview

#GirlDad

10 Lessons I Learned From My Dad

Dorsha

Copyright © 2021 Dorsha

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-312-01305-6

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Edited by Katrina Sanders

Book Cover designed by Bryan Davis

Author Photo by Dorsha

Printed in the United States of America

PREFACE

WHY #GIRLDAD?

On January 29, 2021, I posted the cover photo of my dad and me on LinkedIn to celebrate his 72nd birthday for my routine #FocusFriday. The photo was from Father’s Day 2020 at my home. The post read:

Today, I celebrate my dad's 72nd Birthday. He raised me from the age of 5 months; I met my mother at 17. Kids were shocked that I didn't have a mother and taunted me. Even some relatives shared their pity for me and embedded thoughts that, somehow, I was missing out. It got to the point that I told other kids that she was dead to spare myself the agony and embarrassment of having to explain. I gave my life to Christ at 10 but received the Holy Spirit at 13. That is when God began ministering to me and healing me from the inside out. I remember hearing Him telling me to stop lying about my mother and that her absence and my father's presence is my story. He authored my story.

When I received that message from God, my life changed. I was no longer ashamed that my mother rejected me, but thankful that God gave me a father who accepted me. As I matured, I noticed that my story was not only an anomaly but also awe-inspiring. I soon discovered that many children either didn't have a dad in the house, or if he was, he wasn't their primary caregiver. My dad taught me how to cook, clean, change a tire, fight, study, dress, and more.

Don't focus on the idea of what you think your life should be or should have been. Focus on the story God has given you. #FocusFriday

Unexpectedly, my birthday post honoring my dad went viral, receiving over 141,000 views, 6,800 reactions, and 860 comments. The following two major themes prevailed: (1) accolades to my dad for being a single father raising a daughter; (2) my quote summarizing my childhood without a mother, "Don’t focus on the idea of what you think your life should be or should have been. Focus on the story that God has given you."

From the reactions to that post, I was inspired to write this book because I have the ultimate #GirlDad. Before the hashtag, Girl Dad, was popular, a 23-year-old Vietnam Veteran became a #GirlDad in the 70s. Dads raising young girls was not well-received by many back then, and especially not for a young, single, black male New Yorker in the South. Nevertheless, he made a choice and assumed his responsibility.

This book is a tribute to my dad and highlights some the lessons that I learned from him, which have empowered me to become the woman I am today. I am a wife, mother, stepmother, friend, chief of staff, nonprofit president and chair, published author, screenplay writer, and more. However, all these roles stem from being Rogers Jewell’s daughter. I have been able to accomplish much of what I do because of the foundation Dad set in my life. Any other parts of me that are praiseworthy are a direct result of my heavenly #GirlFather. Throughout this book, I delineate the Holy Trinity: God (my heavenly Father), Jesus Christ (my personal Lord and Savior), and the Holy Spirit (my guide and comforter) because each person of the God-head serves a different function in our lives, and I have had experiences with them in their various roles.

DAD’S