While the middle section was a triffle thick and sometimes heavy to read, you eventually brought this reader to a satisfactory ending. I, too, have experienced the identity-crushing reality of a biological father who turned his back on a select few in the family, when I was age 43, no less! The ensuing triumphs and personal satisfactions in my life are not tainted by this selfish man's actions: on the contrary, my children and grandchildren are spared the criticisms of a bigoted, narrow-minded patriarch and we live life to the fullest.
Good job for you!!!!

Author's Response: I'm glad the emotions/characterizations rang true for you. I'll keep revising the prose on this piece in an attempt to find a balance between thick/unwieldy narrative and keeping the reader spinning in circles for a bit, which is what I want to do, at least until closer to the ending. Thank you very much for the feedback; this was very helpful for me. :)