The lack of male bonding in Rodney’s life has been difficult. We tried Boy Scouts for two years. I was the only woman there, but Rodney didn’t feel comfortable with that. I try to fill in the gaps, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t replace a male. Sometimes kids can be mean. Someone asked him why would he watch football if he didn’t have a dad. he felt excluded because all of the boys watch football with their dads. I told him I could teach him. I told my son that he was part of something big. I said because of what he went through as a child, he can do great things one day.
–Patricia Wotton, 49, speaking about her son Rodney who was born in 2001 and whose father Rodney Wotton, an IT Manager (and Patricia’s husband), died at age 36 on 9/11, People Magazine (September 12,2011, issue), page 67
He was born in 2011 or 2001?
thanks Ian; his mother was pregnant on 9/11 so he was born after his father died; my typographical error–ed..