I could not have asked for, wished for, hoped for or prayed for a better Dad. Though his passing did not surprise us, it saddens us for sure. From a letter I wrote to him and read to him before he died, here are some more things I learned from my Dad. Dear Dad...
Faithfulness and Sacrifice – you have been a model of faithfulness and sacrifice to me. Your love for mom, you determination to see her through rough times, the step back in a career to love and support your family when you returned to Kettering is the stuff of family lore that will live out in my life and our family’s life for generations to come. That you would choose family over career is a lesson we could only learn by seeing (or knowing) you did it first.
Hard Work is Good – your work ethic is the stuff of legends. Professionally and personally, you are the measuring stick for a hard day's work. You taught us that hard work is not perfect work - mistakes are part of the learning - but anything is possible if we put our mind the task and our shoulder to the wheel.
Love People with Your Actions – words without deeds are meaningless. I will never forget you giving my winter coat to the boy whose family was delivering firewood to our house. A generous heart is a good heart.
Missing you today Dad. More to come.
Visitation:
Friday, August 22, 4-8PM. Shirley Brothers 9900 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Indiana. If you're coming, please love extra hard on my brother Brian and my sisters Chris and Gail (and their families) as they are coming from out of town and will not be as closely surrounded by their own circles of friends. Thanks!
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