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 honors. He did
corny things like pay bills on time, go to church on Sunday
and serve as an officer in the P.T.A.
He helped his kids 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
a great success as a husband and a father, a brother, a son,
and a friend.
I wonder how many millionaires can say that.
