My Miracle…….
From the start, Catherine was a miracle, and in so many ways. With two sons already, Sherelene became pregnant again and the start of an awesome test and miracle began. Because Sherelene was using an IUD many doctors, including family members, insisted that the danger to the baby was such that Sherelene should have a therapeutic abortion. We struggled with it, but in the end, just couldn’t do it. We prayed that God would protect our unborn child, and went forward with the pregnancy. The night Catherine was born I was in the delivery room with Sherelene, and our Doctor, and friend, Kenneth Hurlocker, who was also one of my photo students. I prayed all the way up to the birth, please God, honor our decision!!! I could see the smile from behind Ken’s mask when he held up the IUD and said, “well we can stop worrying about this!”
Catherine Anne Fortney was the only the third girl in the Fortney family, versus 46 boys in the past 25 years! Another miracle! I always wanted a daughter, though honestly was petrified, not having any idea how to be a father to a little girl. Catherine made it easy, she was my little angel, and I still have the greatest memories of being her buddy as she grew up. Catherine was not just a miracle because of the circumstances of her birth, she was and is one of the most giving and loving people I’ve ever known. When she joined me to run the GAPW, the adventures and fun really began as we criss-crossed America discovering it together! The Great American Photography Weekends will be remembered for many things and people, but for none more than Catherine, she made us thousands of friends!
We had such great time and everyone that got to meet Catherine fell in love with my “little girl”! I have so many great memories of her growing up and I captured more great images of her than any other child!
Catherine has brought so many gifts into our lives, her husband Clint, and my two wonderful grandchildren Cassidy and Cade! There are no words that could express how proud I am of Catherine, or how much I love her, or what a pleasure it has been to be her father. In the end it has been said that, “An actor is nothing more than the result of how he played, his best role!” To be Catherine’s father, is the honor, and pleasure, that is my crowning achievement!
On Father’s Day, you have made me more than I ever thought I could ever be.
Love you sweetheart,
Dad
This entry was posted on Sunday, June 15th, 2014 at 12:19 am
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Thank you Dad, the privilege is mine..to have a father of such integrity and character. It’s always been an honor to be your daughter. I love you more than words and am eternally grateful for you. Happy Father’s Day, to the best of them all!!
No award or honor I’ve ever been fortunate enough to receive means anything like as much as your loving words! I meant everyone of mine to you!
I loved reading all about Catherine, your precious daughter. It blessed me so much to hear all you had to say. How blessed is the relationship between father and daughter. Happy Father’s Day!!
Blessings, Catherine 🙂
Thank you Catherine, God has richly blessed me!!! I will be thinking of you as you miss your Dad this Father’s Day, God blessed you with him!
Great article. I loved the write ups on all three of your children … each unique in their own way. Happy Father’s Day Bill!
Thanks Gary, they truly are all different, but wonderful people, I attribute much of their attributes to their mother! I tried my best, but I was the rooky at parenting!!
Ok now your website has officially made me cry. I can’t think of anything else on the web EVER that has done that!
Wow God Bless you for being a man and a Dad of integrity. I am a father of 3 boys and we are trying now to Adopt a little girl. This post is so encouraging to me. Please pray that the process will wrap up quickly.
Thanks!
Jason
I will pray, I hope you are so blessed soon!
This blog is a legacy of love, and never more so than today.
Thank you Susan, was great to have you with us this week!
It’s an honor to call you my sister and friend Catherine. Your love and faithfulness for your family has always been inspiring. Dad, I know I told you yesterday but Happy Fathers Day yet again. Thanks for being the kind of father that anyone would be very proud to call “Dad”.
Thank you Wes, I’m so proud of all of you!
Loved reading your posts about all your kids. Is that you and Catherine and Mildred the bear?
It sure is!!
A miracle indeed. I was just talking with Hannah and Ben about this driving home from our vacation as Dad was writing this. After spending the weekend with your two great children during Hannah’s graduation I cannot tell you how proud I am of your influence as a mother. Those two are just wonderful people. I’m always happy to catch up with you when we can and continue to know the great woman you have become. We are so blessed to have such a family.
AMEN!