Today is important day, the same day long ago that a boy was born into this world that would end up having a major impact on another boys life and who the boy would grow to be. This young boy was born mid century, in a small west Texas town. A town where hard work could be seen at every corner, with every dollar earned and every dollar spent. A place in time where friendship could be recognized by the wave a stranger gives while passing in the oncoming lane on a quiet dusty road. Respect was given when respect was earned and the process of earning that respect was in itself respected. Throughout the years there would be many historical moments the boy, this young man and soon to be father, would experience and later share with his son. Some would consider some of these experiences not so historical but this is not about the world but a boy who grew into a young man and later a father.

This man is Godly, a patriotic man who fought and sacrificed for his country. This man was extremely intelligent despite his modest upbringing and what others thought he would become. This man showed that loved his wife and was not afraid to express it. He has a funny but different sense of humor and has an ability to carry on a conversation with anyone. He could often be observed showing people appreciation for assisting him in finding this or that at a local store, but what he was really doing was showing them the caring side of his personality. Not necessarly caring that they helped him, but simply and genuinely caring that they were there, meant to cross paths for more than just the mundane reason or chance encounter. Hoping to brighten someone’s day and hoping they would realize their work meant something to someone.

He was fearless. He was protective. He is and always will be my father and your grandfather. His blood is your blood and his name is your name. There will be so many stories that I will tell of you him and none of them will do him justice. He has been a wonderful man and father to me and someone who I can only aspire to be like. It wasn’t until later in life that I realize what all those lessons, all those talks really meant and what it was that he was actually trying to tell me. He was there for me and continues to be, no matter what time of day or what the reason. He has never faulted and while this seem like obvious traits a father would have, it is often taken for granted and some where along the road from the time he was a boy to now, a lot of these traits have faded from fatherhood.

When I look back at my childhood, there are many great moments and those moments often are of my father.He didn’t play catch with me much and didn’t watch sports with me much but oh how he replaced it with things better. He taught me about music, good music, music that took you places, made you think, music that I will share with you someday. He tought me about cars, planes, science, space, history, America. He taught me hard work, taught me patience, taught me about people and trust, respect. Taught me character judgement. Most importantly he taught me about God and through all things God is there and that he has an unshakeable plan. He demonstrated love and laughter, he demonstrated tough love and discipline. He showed sorrow at times, sadness at others and things that are worth getting angry over.

I will miss him! I will miss the love he has shown me despite the times that I didn’t deserve it and the best way that I can honor him is to be father that he would have me to be to you. I hope I lead by his example, that I provide for you a balanced home where laughter and love are just as abundant as learning and discipline. Sure I won’t be perfect and neither was my father. He has faults,made mistakes, and has regrets, which why I love him more. I learned a lot from my father, as I hope you can tell, many of the same, I hope to pass along to you. I just hope I do a good a job as he did.

I have been intending on writing this for a while now, but you have required my attention, my thoughts and my love, so I was delayed in getting this written. I thought it fitting that I write it today of all days as today is his birthday and a day that we shared a good laugh and created a memory, perhaps at the time without even know it. Your mother and I were out-of-town for the weekend and I had called to tell him happy birthday. In the course of the conversation he mention that he had purchased a new scope for his rifle and how he was looking forward to going to the range and trying it out. He clearly was confident in the skills this new scope would bring him as he boasted how he would soon be ready to shoot the wings off a fly at 500 yards. But first he must begin by shooting flys of sugar cubes and to one-up himself by saying after demonstrating these impressive examples of marksman ship, he would then let me shoot my rifle while he then would proceed to shoot my bullet out of the air. Still makes me laugh thinking about it. Sure it is probably one of things ‘ you must have been there’ to get the full effect, and I have to say I am glad I was there for all of it.

Even though he may never read this, it just doesn’t seem fitting to end without saying I love you dad!