A great man died today.
He wasn’t a world leader or a famous doctor or a war hero or a sports figure. He was no business tycoon, and you will never see his name in the financial pages. But he was one of the greatest men who ever lived. He was my father.
I guess you might say he was a person who was never interested in getting credit or receiving honours. He did corny things like pay bills on time and serve as an officer in the PTA.
He helped his children with their homework and drove his wife to do the grocery shopping on Thursday nights. He got a great kick out of hauling his teenagers and their friends to and from football games.
Tonight is my first night without him. I don’t know what to do with myself. I am sorry now for the times I didn’t show him the proper respect. But I am grateful for a lot of other things.
I am thankful that God let me have my father for 15 years. And I am happy that I was able to let him know how much I loved him. That wonderful man died with a smile on his face and fulfillment in his heart. He knew that he was great success as a husband a father, a brother, a son, and a friend.
I wonder how many millionaires can say that.
