Happy Father’s Day!
This weekend I am thankful for two main reasons:
1. For my daughter Isabel, aka “the boss.” She has given me the gift of fatherhood, and I am forever grateful for that. I didn’t think I would ever be so lucky to have a kid like Isabel. The day I officially adopted her was the best day of my life. Being a father is a privilege. It is nothing short of amazing, and I can’t wait to continue to watch her become the impressive young woman she is becoming today.
2. To have been so fortunate to have the man that raised me—my dad. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, my father is my hero. He molded me into the man I am now. He was selfless, wise, generous, and had a great sense of humor (where do you think I get mine from? 🤣)
My father served in the Marines during World War II. He saw horrific bloodshed and sacrifice, but his takeaway was that freedom is worth defending in the face of tyranny. When he came home, he became a teacher and was beloved by his colleagues and students. It didn’t matter who you were, he treated everyone with respect. He taught me to take service seriously but never to take myself too seriously. He taught me the importance of family and neighbors helping neighbors. He taught me that at the end of the day, no matter the situation, a kind word or deed goes a long way. My dad was a part of the Greatest Generation, and he was indeed great.
