BrewsterConnections - Brewster Academy

in to me that I had won custody of BP! I just sat there
and cried for a half an hour. As I drove home I began to
wonder just how I was going to do everything on my own.
I immediately went online to begin my quest to become the
best possible parent and signed up for classes to help me.
My parents helped me a lot during the first few months so
I could go to night classes and stay with my son during the
day.
It was hard to remember all the things you needed to
bring with you when you left the house, such as bottles
and diapers and extra clothes. The first few times BP got
hurt or was really sick, I did not fool around, but got him
quickly to the emergency room. Usually it turned out not to
be an emergency, but I wasn’t going to take chances. After
about six months I
learned what to do
in most cases and
didn’t run off to the
emergency room so
often.
It was difficult at
first but did get
easier as the years
passed by. For the
first three years my
ex-wife had little
“And as hard as it has
been at times, when I
wake up every morning
to a happy, smiling child,
I thank God for what He
has given me.”
if anything to do with BP, and as it turned out, it was a
blessing, in that it wasn’t as difficult for him when she died
as there wasn’t a close relationship. The week before she
died she called for the first time in a year and [BP] was able
to spend six hours with her. I do believe it helped him to
see her when she was so sick. He was able to say goodbye
one last time and to tell her he loved her.
Hoopes: I believe you continued to work as well as take
parenting classes, so you must have had help? Day care?
Brendan: My parents were a huge help in raising BP when
he was a baby. My parents are still a large part of BP’s life
and it’s so good that he has them. His other grandparents
do not want to have anything to do with him.
I continued to work in sales and early on I learned how to
juggle BP and my job at the same time. Right from the start
l www.brewsteracademy.org l
I told the people I work for that my son came first and if
they could work with that, then I’d do a good job for them.
BP does go to “After School Care” until 6 p.m. so I can
work a full day.
Hoopes: In many ways your social life must have suffered.
But was that made up for by bonding with BP at such an
early age?
Brendan: What is a social life? Is it when you’re hanging
out with all the kids and moms in the neighborhood? True,
I don’t have much of a social life. I do date here and there,
but this time around I’m very selective and no one has
caught my ring finger yet! BP and I are very, very close and
do everything together. I love having him with me to show
him new things and experiences. God will put the
right person in my life when He’s ready. I do worry
a little about BP not having a mother figure in his
life, but there’s not a lot I can do about it. I will not
jump into a relationship just to find a mother for
BP. When his mother died, BP did go to a counselor
for about six months and that helped a lot.
Hoopes: Describe BP – his appearance, personality,
and interests. Knowing that you two have a close
relationship, what kinds of things do you do
together?
Brendan: BP’s a very active 10 year-old, and so much like
me, it’s scary, especially knowing now what I must have
put my parents through! He loves football, basketball, and
baseball. BP has blond hair and blue eyes. He’s about fourfoot
ten inches tall and his feet are out of control, wearing a
size eight shoe already. He wears me out with all his energy
as he never stops running. We are closer than most father
and sons, I think. We do everything together. We drive gocarts
and golf together. BP’s a great little golfer and at 10 he
can par most 3-par holes. He can also putt better than his
father! Occasionally, my parents take him for the weekend
and that allows me to catch up with friends.
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