May 27, 2026

​

In June I am really reminded that I have a lot to be thankful for, especially my 3 Fathers - 2 of them an amazing couple who I call my ‘2nd Fathers.” If you want to know more, induldge me and read my (first!) blog I wrote about them (and it might give you a little insight into my how my mind works ;)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

My parents separated before I was born, but I never lacked for a nearby 'father figure.' Up until I was about 10, my dad always lived nearby, and I saw him often. He was gregarious, a book-lover, spoke 7 languages fluently (that he mostly taught himself), could draw the Peanuts characters as well as Charles Schultz, and loved to act & sing, especially in community theatre (plus he loved creating his own costumes for these productions from crazy things he found at the thrift store! See his "Charismatic Napoleonic Cowboy" character). A little story that gives you a taste of my dad: One day I came home from school and my dad was at our house for a visit. I told him I had a Barbie play date the next day, but didn’t have anything ‘new’ for her to wear. We didn’t have any extra money to go out and shop for new clothes for her, so he sat up for hours, sewing, by hand, a little wrap-style skirt for her. Later he would move around a bit, first to Grass Valley, in the Sierras, and then down to Yucca Valley & 29 Palms, in the desert. I would spend a lot of time with he and his girlfriend during the summers in Grass Valley, which I loved. Then not so much time with he and my step-mother in the desert (spoiler - I didn’t really like her, and I was cooped up & bored to death while he was at work). But through it all, he was always very loving and supportive.

​

But lucky me, two of my mom’s best friends, Chris & Chuck, became what I refer to as my “2nd Fathers,” and I was like the kid they never had. I was so lucky, it was like I had 3 fathers! Chris & Chuck lived in the Castro, in a beautiful Victorian flat, which they (seriously) redecorated every year (and we got their cast-offs, lol). They were both artists. By day, Chris worked at Social Security, and hated every minute of it. The rest of his time was spent painting, going to the gym, watching all the new movies, and listening to Opera. Chuck was the head of window display at The Emporium-Capwells department store, in downtown San Francisco. Which he loved, until he didn’t (after 20 years). The rest of his time was spent on some sort of fiber art project. During his ‘weaver’ period they had a full-size loom in their apartment, then he made ‘art’ quilts, and then he discovered making church vestments. I remember one time, he made a marionette, from scratch, of Beverly Sills (and sewed her beautiful costume) - just to be the ‘wrapping’ for the gift of tickets he got for he and Chris to see her perform live. When he left Emporium-Capwells, he turned vestment making into his full time job, and they were glorious! The rest of their time was divided between traveling the world (every year!), going to see live opera and theatre, decorating, cooking & ent-

ertaining, and doting on me. We lived in the East Bay, but trekked over the bridge to their house every weekend, and I was included in (almost!) every conversation, expected to stay awake no matter how late it got, and be their fourth for Pinocle & Scrabble :( I could go on and on, but I always say I had a very privelidged upbringing - not financially, but culturally. They are responsible for at least half of ALL that.

 

I miss them all. My father died much too young from a cancer that went undiagnosed until he was almost gone, Chris of AIDS, Chuck passed from complications of his diabetes, and my mother from emphysema (smoking kills, kids - even if not until you are 84!).

 

But all three of them - as well as my mother - encouraged almost anything I seemed interested in, even if they didn’t understand it, lol. I do think that they would all be very proud of (and have lots of ideas to contribute to) this kooky little chocolate business I have been building.

​

Thanks for reading,

Sarah