Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

You’ve been gone ten years now, but in many ways you never left. I want to thank you for teaching me so much. I still hear your voice repeating lessons as necessary. It’s like having a treasure trove audio library of wisdom to play as needed. One of my favorite lessons my children know by heart: “Don’t go looking for trouble, son, it’s going to find you anyway.” While trouble indeed finds me, Dad, your lessons so often help me minimize its impact.

You taught me to stand on my own; to work hard; to stand fast in the face of adversity; to pick myself up and brush myself off when adversity won; to play chess; to shake hands after a game, win, lose, or draw; to turn the board around and play another game after a loss; to be big enough to admit when I was wrong; to be humble when I was right; to play paddle ball and racquetball; to ride a bicycle and to ice skate, and to get back up when I fell off the bike or onto the ice.

I remember some aggravating times between us too—stupid teenage years. During one difficult spell I was complaining to mom when she stopped me cold and said, “son, you see yourself in your father, that’s what’s gnawing at you.” Mom of course, was right. Isn’t she always?

You also taught me compassion, to chase my dreams, and to keep a sense of humor. But most of all you taught me how to Love, for no man so Loved a woman as you Loved mom. Is there a more powerful lesson a man could teach a son?

Thank you, Dad. I don’t feel I’m one-half the man you were, and I’m sure my children will agree, but I’m damn glad to have such an ideal to aim for.

For a role model, mentor, and father, I hit the jackpot.

I Love you.