My father

My parents separated when I was at a young age. I wasn't old enough to be really affected by the change but old enough to know what was happening to my family. Over the years following I grew closer to my father and farther from my mother. My father.... is the best man that I know. He has helped me at so many points in my life. My father is the type of man who would give every ounce of himself to serve others. He has always maintained a constant fortitude to do the right thing and maintain his integrity. Even in the face of so many terrible things and points in which most men would have given up, he stayed strong. We had a lot to deal with during my parents separation, the largest issue was my mother trying to make us hate our father for leaving us. My father was always there, but he had to leave.

A statement that I heard and that rings true with my father is "Men of integrity expect to be believed and when they're not they let time prove them right." My father wept for us on so many nights when he knew that his own children had turned away from him. As the years passed he was strong and consistent and always there for us. Each of us realized that our father cared deeply for us and would always be there. All of us children at one point or another moved away from our mother emotionally through a number of personal and emotional events that opened us up to what our father had been going through all those years.

One by one we left and joined our father, knowing that what he did was out of necessity and because he cared for us. In recent years my father is the man I always turn to. He is the one I will always call when I have a question or concern or just looking for advice. I know I can ask him anything and ask anything of him. He has played the devils advocate, my personal coach, my cheering section, guidance counselor, moral supporter and friend. He touches the lives of so many. Everyone who knows him, loves him. He gives himself to everyone he meets. His clients shower him with gifts and praise and through his hands he has helped thousands with his craft.

One trait I have always admired, is that, I can ask my Dad anything. I could ask any question I could think of and my father would always take the time to answer me in the most intelligent and thoughtful way he knew. Even if he didn't know, we could still have a lengthy discussion on the topic. He opened a thirst for knowledge in me. A desire to ask, to learn, and to question. Most people I know, when asked, would prefer to avoid discussion; and if they did manage to answer if would be short, concise and usually fairly biased.

I have always felt for my father, because for so long he has taken care of others and never had true time for himself. Even after us children left home he was still looking after us and soon had the task of looking after his own parents. In the last couple years he has regained some freedom in his life and its awesome to see that he is doing things to enjoy himself. Setting up his man cave, buying a new car and a motorcycle spending less time in his practice and more time for himself. Spending more time with friends and family. I cherish the trip we were able to take to Hawaii, the time we were able to spend together and way we were able to find out and cope with the loss of our grandfather as a family.

I think of all the great things my father has done for me and how much he means to me. I think of the day I had to watch my best friends father die. I have never wept so hard in my life. Not only because another great man died that day but because I could not imagine losing my own father who has meant so much to me.



He helped me buy my first car.

He taught me the value of hard work

He gave me everything I ever needed but not everything I ever wanted

He has helped all of us children mentally physically and monetarily without a second thought

He kept our family together



He encouraged me

He helped me in the hardest of times


He helped me buy my first house



He helped me start my first business

He helped me sell my first house

He helped me in returning to school to start a new career



He was one of very few that helped me move last year.





He is my role model

He is my mentor



He has lent me his time

He has lent me his money

He has lent me his ear

He has lent me his hand






He showed us all compassion and consistency pays off

He is one of my very few great friends




Dad

Thanks for everything you do. I owe you so much and if I have the opportunity to give half as much back I will be honored.