To My Father

On this Father's Day, I do not have my father here to hug or to call. I must rely on photos and memory of who he was. I must rely on the place in my heart where he will reside in eternity with me. I must rely on the life lessons that he taught me, the joy that he brought me, the love that he gave me.

I think of him sometimes as the small boy that he once was, playing in the fields with his five brothers without a care in the world. Did he ever think, even for once, that he would grow up to be a man of influence ~ a self-effacing man who simply reached out to people in the best way he knew. He offered his life for others ~ serving in the military for his country, leading his employees at work, being a steadfast and trustworthy friend, loving and caring for his family.

His life lives on in his children, grandchildren and every person whose life he touched during his 86 years on this earth. Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you.