As most of you know, my dad died in April. It was an unexpected and shocking loss. (This is a picture of my Dad and I on my wedding day.) One that left a large hole in my life. And the reality of grief, for me at least, has been coming and going in waves. The intesity of loss can strike me without warning at the strangest times. I never seem to know what might trigger a memory or remind me of all that I've lost. I've even reached for the phone to call him and then had to stop myself and catch my breath like I've been punched in the stomach.
My Dad was a well-loved and respected man. He had a great sense of humor that was slow and subtle, but I loved it. His jokes were about timing most of all. He had a way of living that modeled his beliefs. He had habits and actions that were always about befriending people and spending time with his family. I am trying to learn from him and honor him by adopting some of his habits and actions.
Here's a top ten list of the things I Learned from my Dad that I'm trying to implement in my own life:
1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
2. Actions speak louder than words.
3. Always have time for milkshakes with your friends and family.
4. Have patience when pursuing a big goal.
5. Be generous to a fault.
6. Keep learning new things.
7. Don't be afraid to be a little bit lost sometimes.
8. See the humor in life and enjoy it.
9. Don't complain about stuff.
10. Trust in God's promises.
Miss you, Dad!
