Under the guardianship of his adopted father, Smitty had the best of schooling. I believe he went to Sidwell Friends for the early years in Washington DC (where Obama’s children went?), then they moved to New York City. He grew up with nannies and staff. He was shipped off to boarding school at The Hill School for 6 years. Every summer he was sent off to camp. So there was very little parental interaction (EXCEPT for the abuse when he was home). 

 

THE ABUSE: Apparently Mr. Smith had quite a temper, especially when drunk, and he used to beat Smitty and even hit his mother (Judith?). I’ve heard stories of a neighbor coming to the rescue when Randy was going off on Judith and Smitty. Smitty protected his little sister by 3 years, Samantha, from her father as best as he could, from what I understand. 

I really hope you love him and respect him (him being F. Randall Smith), because I cannot figure out how elsewise you would stay with such a man. I know there is a LOT of money involved, but what does that make you? 

“You will never
hit my mother again.”

The abuse continued until one day, when Randy again lost his temper and drew back to punch Smitty: Smitty caught his hand in mid-swing, right in his palm, stopped him, squeezed his adopted father’s fist with all his might and said, “You will never hit my mother again.” Smitty was finally BIGGER than short little powerful Randy then, and the physical abuse stopped. But the mental abuse continued. (We attributed Samantha’s tragic suicide to the bullying she had to endure from this man. She threw herself out of a 22nd floor window LITERALLY across the street from the New York Stock Exchange entrance, but again, I get ahead of myself. Poor Samantha had to work for her father, and he – as usual – was not kind.)

Judith, I know you meant well, but you have to admit when you’ve made a mistake. This was a mistake. At the bare minimum your child was clothed, fed, and extremely well educated. What more is there for a mother to do? Well, I have a moms’ group who could lend a few tips, and maybe help you pull your head out of your………. Ok, sorry. I get a little upset when I think about a mother giving up her child. I also get upset when I think about the physical and mental abuse a mother allows her child to endure. There’s a nasty, greasy spot outside the U.S. Stock Exchange building where Smitty’s half-sister committed suicide, out of a 22nd story window,  because of her father’s abuse (and depression, of course). How much farther do we have to go?  You tell me. I’ve got nothing left but memories of your son. You missed out. You didn’t act. You will miss out on the most important things in life unless you act. It’s up to you. Take this however you want, but we (*ok, it’s just me, my daughter doesn’t want anything to do with this) thought you should understand. I also cannot understand how a woman can NOT connect with her granddaughter. Actually, never mind, I think I’ll keep her away from toxic people as long as I can. She may seek you out some day, but not with my approval at the moment.  I guess you get to say you were the head of Asian Arts for the Metropolitan Museum of New York, and I’m sure you guys backed the ballet and the symphony – and if you didn’t???? Well there are more important things than tickets, dinners, and the correct schooling, if I may put this forward for your consideration… 

THE ESCAPE: College?
Smitty went to all boys schools growing up, so he decided college would be the place to meet girls. And he wanted to meet beautiful girls, so he decided to go to school in Texas. Southern Methodist University, where the best looking young ladies are reported to attend.