Today, January 25th, we celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday. I wish I could be there to give him a huge hug and tell him how special he is, but geography stands in the way.
My Dad means a lot of things to a lot of people. In 60 years he has accomplished more things and touched more lives than I can even imagine. He is an excellent husband, father, and son. He excells at his job as a elementary school principal. He has been a phenominal teacher, coach, statesman, and friend. My Dad has rarely met a stranger, and even when he does, he claims they look like so-and-so.
Thousands of people have been blessed to know my father, but even if his sphere of influence had been limited to my family, his life would be a huge success. He has loved and cultivated my mother and they have a marriage to be envied. He has raised two kids that turned out pretty good, and has loved many more like they were his own, being the father figure they never had. He has three grandchildren who adore him and whose lives are blessed because of him.
My Dad is a teacher by training and by nature, and I couldn't have had a better person to learn from. He taught me all the little things in life, but more importantly, he taught me the big things. My Dad didn't teach me just to read; he taught me to love books and words, and to memorize poetry. I have poems he taught me hanging on my walls. He didn't just teach me the numbers, but how to use them and have fun with them. I love and excell in math to this day. He didn't just teach me to play sports; he taught me what it means to be a winner, and showed me how to compete and overcome. He didn't just teach me to fight; he taught me what was worth fighting for, and to always stand up for your principles. My Dad didn't just talk to me about girls; he showed me how to love women by the way he treated my Mom and protected my sister. My Dad didn't just take me to church; he loved me unconditionally, like my heavenly Father, and he taught me about Jesus, His son.
My Dad isn't perfect. He has his flaws, just like everyone else. But the older I get, the more I admire and appreciate him. My sister used to tease me whenever I would do anything that resembled Dad. She called them Chuckmarks. I would intentionally try not to act like him, just so she would leave me alone. I have realized that this is futile. I am like my Dad, and that's a good thing. Everything I know about how to be a good man I have learned from watching him. He has always been a man I can look up to, and count on to do the right thing. I can honestly say my Dad has never lied to me. I have seen him make mistakes, and seen him take responsibility for them. My Dad has been a wonderful role model for me, and I pray I continue to become more like him.
I have lifetime of great memories of my Dad.
- countless days on the baseball field, pitching until it got too dark to see
- shoveling snow off the driveway in matching Rocky sweatsuits so we could play basketball
- the first time driving the Blue Knight, and him telling me to go faster
- walking every neighborhood in the county campaigning for statesmen, not politicians
- telling me how proud he was the first time I stood up to a bully
- taking me and my friends to Kings Island, riding all the roller coasters and playing speed pitch
- teaching me the family card trick that no one else knows
- taking me to his school and introducing me to all of his classes and teachers (when I was 4 and 24)
- riding in the car singing Christmas songs at the top of our lungs
- setting me up with my first business, selling soft drinks to construction workers out of a little red wagon
- cream of wheat weather, pancakes, and only the best doughnuts
- his joy the first time I beat him at basketball, when he was actually trying to win
I could list thousands more, but I don't have time. You see, as great of a story-teller as Dad is, he also taught me that the making of a story is more important than the telling. He has taught me to live a life of purpose and passion, and showed me that living for God is our ultimate purpose, Christ our ultimate passion.
When I decided to become a missionary and I moved away, it was hard on my Dad. We have a close relationship, and we love to do things together. I miss those times, but I realize that Dad is just as involved in my life as ever. I can see him in everything I do here. So much of what I say and how I act is a direct result of the way he has lived, and how he has taught me to live. I am so thankful for the blessing my Dad has been to me, and to so many other people. He makes me proud, and gives me something to shoot for. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for him, knowing that he will pass those blessings on to those he loves.
Thank you Dad! I love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday....and many more!
