Widowed Father Is Both Mom And Dad
Since his wife, Yvonne, passed away a year ago, Barry Goode is adjusting to life as a single father and all the daily responsibilities his new role entails.
For one thing, he's the chauffeur for his two children, Candace and Christopher. He's also the arbiter of disputes.
"You have a 15-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy who can get on a 15-year-old girl's nerves," he said. "We have an understanding. At least we did yesterday, now today is different. Children change from day to day."
And the day to day has changed dramatically for the Goode family in this, their first year without their wife and mother.
Yvonne and Barry had been friends since they were kids, and he said she pushed him to get married. They finally did — in 1990.
"Yvonne hinted about marriage and I hinted about 'let's go watch TV' or 'how about those Yankees,'" he said. "I was in front of a preacher in a white tux and she was coming down the aisle in a white gown. I scratch my head and try to figure out how she did it — but she did it."
Ten years of a fun-filled marriage, family vacations and special occasions ended when Yvonne was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She spent the next five years fighting, mostly from her bed.
"She ran the house from the bed. I took instructions from the bed," Barry said.
Since Yvonne's death, Barry has done his best to be a do-it-all dad. He monitors homework, does the laundry and makes dinner. His efforts have not been lost on his children
"I like best that he's actually become my mom and my dad," Chris said.
"At school people would say 'Oh my dad's not here for me' or 'I never saw my father before,'" Candace said. "Not to boast or anything, I know he's going to be home when I get here, and I'm not going to be alone and have him to depend on."
Chris and Candace have both brought home good grades — but to Barry, it's just being dad that has been so rewarding.
"Candace: my princess, the movie star, the drama queen … has to get her point across, no matter what," he said. "Chris: He wants to be smart. He wants to be the smartest kid on the face of the earth."
"Chris and Candace are no doubt my reason — with help from God — my reason for living," Barry said. "They give me that push when they smile and when they laugh, because when they laugh, I feel like its going to be OK. It makes me feel good."
As part of the Magic Moments series, The Early Show is sending the Goodes on a family vacation.
Learn about their trip at these sites: