This morning I was riding my Peloton and I looked over and noticed this picture (below) and it struck me hard this morning.
Today is my dad’s birthday. He would have been 79. That isn’t what struck me about this pic. This picture represents the man my dad was to me and to my kids… always showing up for us – no matter what – big or small – he was always there. This is also wedding month for my oldest son and that ….. well there’s that. Death is brutal – it leaves a void and you feel it in everyday life but it feels deeper and wider when the big stuff rolls around that my dad is not here to witness and celebrate with us.
I want to tell a story (I have probably told before) for my son and for anyone that needs to hear it.
My dad, as a young young man of 18, made a choice to leave a life that wasn’t for him. To leave a family that wasn’t always his biggest cheerleader and forge a life of his own – create his own family. He did just that and he ran that family the way he wanted – with the value system he prescribed to. And he did well. He continued that philosophy throughout his life and with his grandchildren – showing up and standing in the gap for them when they needed. Son, now is your time to forge ahead with building your family the way you envision it. Those that want to be part of that and want to witness its beauty will tag along – I promise. Those that don’t … well.. you continue to forge ahead.
I recently saw a clip of Tyler Perry saying – Some people are like rocket boosters – when the rocket gets to a certain point, the boosters fall off but the rocket keeps going soaring to heights that the boosters can’t go. Don’t let those people that can’t and/or shouldn’t ascend with you to tag along – they only hold you back.
We were blessed to have such a wonderful example of love, grit, dedication and loyalty in my dad. The example he leaves is priceless. He never explained his legacy, it just is what it is by the example he left us – one that is worthy of us paying attention and following. I hope that his legacy resonates with all of my children – he left a lesson that surely applies to all of their lives at some point.
Today we will celebrate my dad with our annual “Eat the Cake” celebration – because throughout his life and even when he was the sickest (and didn’t feel like eating) – he always ate the cake! The sweetness of life! We embrace him, his legacy and we too will eat the cake! Wedding Day…. well I will surely be eating a piece of cake for him too – knowing he is smiling from heaven!
Life After Blog... 