Right Wisdom

I wrote and gave this speech last fall. This is honor of my dad on fathers day! It was Thanksgiving Day 2002 and my wife, kids and I had just arrived at my in-laws house to celebrate Thanksgiving. You could smell the turkey and hear the sound of football in the background along with young cousins jabbering about the fun they were about to have. I just settled down on the couch when the phone rang thinking nothing about it until my brother-in-law tells me the phone is for me. Someone calling me at my in-laws is not a good sign especially on a holiday. It was my oldest sister and the moment she spoke I knew it wasn’t good news. She went to pick up my dad for Thanksgiving dinner and found him dead in his bed. He passed away the way he always wanted to go, in his sleep. It didn’t make it any easier for the rest of us. My mom had passed away 6 years earlier on New Years Eve so it was now left to the three of us to be the leaders of the family. The drive that day from Andover to Eagan was ...

Father’s day is a tough day. It is difficult for two reasons. The first is that my father is gone so it is a day that I can look back on the times I had with my dad, though I will be unable to spend any time with him until I see him in heaven. Those times I remember are always good. My dad worked very hard to provide for his family. Ever since I can remember he worked two jobs. Despite him working two jobs he still had time to spend with me. I remember as a child riding in the car with him to the post office and bank every Sunday night. We would sing and talk together, I really cherished those days. He also instilled a positive work ethic and in my adulthood I saw a strong spiritual side to my dad. I remember as he got close to the end of his time on earth he didn’t pray for himself but prayed for all of his grandkids. He loved his kids and he loved his grandkids. The second reason it is tough is because of my kids. I have five and I love each of them so much.   The younger thre...