In this beautiful story, watch the power of a true father figure as a neighbor, popularly known as Grandpa Chip, steps in to provide care and kindness to his friend, forming a heartwarming bond that transcends biological ties. A family is formed rather than born. Not everyone is fortunate to have loving blood family ties, but they are fortunate to be surrounded by individuals who make them feel at home.
Cody Shugart, a man from Victoria, Texas, is one of many who had no contact with his real father. Growing up without the direction of a doting father, according to Cody, is difficult. He struggled to overcome the challenges that a youngster, a teenager, and an adult encounter without the support of his father. Fortunately for Cody, he grew up surrounded by respectable, kindhearted guys who didn’t mind being Cody’s father figure as he grew older.
Years later, the young and ignorant Cody matured into a respectable man and married the woman of his dreams. He soon found himself taking care of his own son. Looking back on his youth, he recognized how crucial it was for the young Cody to be surrounded by nice neighbors who became his father figure. Cody couldn’t forget Mr. Milton West, the man he fondly nicknamed Mr.Chip, out of all the men who freely became his father. As a result, Cody found himself introducing his son, Bob Wayne, to his favorite father.
Cody photographed his darling son, Bob, sitting on Mr. Chip’s lap. Cody shared the photo online because he adores it and the memories it evokes. It quickly gained hundreds of likes and shares and became viral! It’s easy to see why thousands of hearts softened when they saw Bob, a white and blonde baby, with Mr. Chip, an African American, in the picture below. In a time and place where people are divided by racial conflicts, sexism, and prejudice, it is nice to see a picture with a powerful timeless message.
Cody added a personal remark to the photo he uploaded on Facebook to make it even more memorable.”A lot of people like this picture.” So I wanted to take a moment to tell you the story. Milton West was my boyhood next-door neighbor. I knew him as Mr. Chip. He worked as an operator at DOW Chemical until retiring. He has always been there for me since I was two years old.
Growing up without a father was always difficult for me. But the Lord surrounded me with outstanding persons, Mr. Chip being one of them. He continually preached the need of education, taught me how to care for a yard, taught me to view people for who they are rather than what they look like, taught me to respect my mother like a saint, and many other life teachings. His contributions to me becoming a good kid, man, and father were enormous.”
“I am forever grateful for God putting him in my life,” Cody stated his admiration for the responsible and diligent Mr. Chip. “My wife and I had a son named Bob Wayne Shugart in May of this year.” When Mr. Chip and his wife Shirley saw him, they fell in love with him. They babysit him on occasion, and we pay them visits when we can. “The last time we were over there, Mr. Chip said he wanted to be called ‘POP.'” He claims that is his grandson. So we had to come up with a name for his wife. “We decided on Lolli!!!!”
“So we tell Bob Wayne we’re going to see Lolli Pop!!!” I’m grateful that Lolli and Pop will be a part of my son’s life. If he learns half as much as I did from Mr. Chip, he will be a fantastic son, man, and parent.” Cody said, knowing that his son Bob will be a great man with Mr. Chip by his side! According to statistics, one out of every three children grows up without any assistance or support from their biological father. Cody, unfortunately, is one of these heartbreaking numbers.
However, his narrative is not altogether depressing because he encountered some very nice people, such as Mr. Chip. Proving to the world that a family recognizes no blood relation, skin color, or age. Sometimes a family is merely a group of people who make you feel at ease.