Eek!

It was twelve years ago yesterday that my dad died. I didn't know what to post today. I've done a lot of posts about him.

And then it occurred to me - I found a stack of letters sent to us after he died, from friends and family, and this one in particular was something I felt compelled to share.

It's written by his cousin Bruce, a month or so after Dad died:

"Dear Family,

I'm sorry I'm such a lousy letter writer. Please know my prayers are a lot more consistent, and those will be much more frequent in the future.

It was a shock to me. HDW'sDad was so solid, so strong, so natural as force for good. He has always been one of my heroes.

Growing up, I watch him combine with Cousin Dan to do impossible feats on the playing field. I knew I was a witness to one of the greats - because he lived the whole life; body, mind and spirit.

Once in Geometry class, he actually told Mr. Berry that he hadn't a clue how Mr. Berry got that answer. As it turned out, neither did Mr. Berry, but the lesson for me was: never be afraid to admit your honest ignorance AND never accept blame for being ignorant when you are giving it your best shot.

I think his legendary status came from his will-power. No matter what the task, he focused on it and gave it his best effort: practice, planning, preparing and a ton of determination. Nobody bats 1.000 for the season, but I don't remember HD'sDad ever striking out - perhaps because he was my hero; but I believe it's because he always came back. He was determined to meet the ball with every fiber of his being. He could not be beaten. The perfect game? I saw a dozen. More. He always came back because he believed in making every move he could, standing on his beliefs, stating when he knew and what he didn't, and running the path he knew to be fair and honest and straightforward.

In this, fate seems to be trying to win by calling the game, a shocking tactic, but HD'sDad wins again, because he leaves us all a much better world for having seen and felt his living of life. I want more, and someday, Thank Jesus, I'll have it in heaven. Meanwhile, I know HD'sDad is hollering at me to step up to the plate.

Your cousin, Bruce"

Cousin Bruce pictured at left with my dad (my dad being the taller of the two). They had gone fishing, and you can somewhat make out their 'catches' in the middle of the stick they're holding.








"And when we're gone long gone
The only thing that will have mattered
Is the love that we shared
And the way that we cared
When we're gone, long gone ..."

"When We're Gone, Long Gone" - Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt

Labels: daddy, love thursday, old letter