Day 33 - Dads

I've been very fortunate to have so many great mentors and father-figures in my life. They've taught me the importance of a positive attitude, a determined work ethic, and respect for all - among countless other life-lessons.

My Papa was a quiet guy. He was very loving, although he never verbally expressed it. He was the type of grandfather that would say more with a quiet smile and nod of approval than any words could express. He taught me the importance of honor. Papa fought for our country as an Army medic in World War II. I was always enamored with his discipline and routine. Morning toast. Mid-morning snack of bugles and Cracker Barrel cheese. We spent lunch listening to Paul Harvey, starving for the rest of the story. Afternoon of sitting on a folding chair outside of his garage and watching traffic pass. He taught me to pace life.

Papa died in 1998 after years of bravely battling dimentia and other ailments. I have never been so conflicted as the day he passed. I was so happy he had been freed from the bindings of the world he knew. At the same time, I had lost a mentor.

I think about him daily.

---------------------------------

But this is no sad story. You see, I'm lucky enough to have some of the greatest mentors still in my life.


I grew up next to my granddaddy and grandmother. I watched daily as one of the greatest men I've ever known set an example of how to love, admire, and spoil a spouse. Married for over 55 years, my granddaddy would go to the ends of the earth to make my grandmother happy. He'd cook if she wanted him to cook. He'd take her for a drive if that's what she wanted. Hawaii? No problem.

As a kid, courting my grandmother, he was almost fired from one of his early jobs for giving the girl around the corner an extra scoop of ice cream at no charge.

My granddaddy taught me how to love. His life-lessons didn't end there, though. He taught me to "put the icing on the cake" - meaning to finish the job and pay attention to the details. He taught me the importance of walking tall and moving with a purpose. I'm so very happy that he is still in my life. After my life-journeys thus far, I have ended up right back where I started - living next door to a great mentor, friend, and grandfather. I am honored to share his name.

A wise man once said that once your bones have shuffled off this mortal coil, the only important legacy you leave is your children. My grandfather will have left a brilliant legacy when he leaves our world.

--------------------------------

One of his four legacies is my father.

As a child I was taught the importance of doing the right thing. My dad helped me learn to make the right decisions. To hang around the right people. He taught me the importance of keeping my promises and abiding my commitments. He taught me the importance of being on time. He taught me to respect others until given a reason not to. He taught me to not judge. He taught me to gather all the facts before making a decision. He taught me to always listen to both sides of the story. Dad taught me to stand up for myself. He taught me that I could learn more by listening than talking. He taught me the importance of discipline and consequence.

And like his father, Dad taught me what a good marriage was, and how to achieve it.

When I decided to have this surgery, aside from my wife, Dad was my biggest supporter. He stayed in my corner from the outset and never once wavered in his support. He asked questions and made sure I was committed, but never relented in his support. There is no way I could have had the surgery without my dad on my side.

Life is about leading by example.

These men didn't tell me how to live.

They showed me how to be a good person.

They showed me how to be a loving husband.

They showed me how to be a great father.


They showed me how to live.