In my lifetime I have heard men greater than I, speak. From Neil Armstrong to George Bush Sr. I have sat and listened to men who aspired to be something bigger… better… to have an impact on this world. I sat in astonishment as John Glenn described how small and fragile our atmosphere is. I have been entertained as the men from Pike Place Fish Market whipped fish over my head while telling me how their occupation relates to mine. No matter the speaker however, one thing has always remained constant, regardless whether the speaker spoke of motivation, self-help, industry, politics, or their personal experiences. The “constant” I speak of is the fact that, while I enjoyed a great number of the speakers I have witnessed, I couldn’t relate to whatever it was they were trying to sell me. I did not strive to be something bigger or better than I was. I didn’t want to change the world. I felt that if I embarked to achieve something that paralleled the achievements of the individuals I sat and listened to that I would miss something, something that was much more important.
Throughout my life thus far, I have never been motivated to be extraordinary. I was a “B” student all the way through my Master’s Degree. The first time my soon-to-be wife and I worked together, she called me a “slacker.” To say I’m underachiever is an understatement… with one exception.
Three days after returning from vacation in Siesta Key, Florida this year, my Father-in-law passed away unexpectedly. He was only 67 years old. I first met Dave when I was seventeen… he was my first boss. Over the years, I was fortunate enough to learn from him; learn about work, family, being a good person and life in general. Years later I met Dave’s daughter and asked her to marry me. (To this day, she is still the best decision I have ever made.) When I asked Dave for his daughter’s hand, he stood, shook my hand and said, “Welcome aboard!” That is the way it was with Dave. He viewed himself as a Captain. Someone whose job it was to help others, to guide them through rough waters, to hold them up when they couldn’t stand on their own and to offer support and encouragement whenever he could. At his wake, a friend said that “Dave was great… a great husband… a great father… and a great friend.”
Many times over the years, I have sat and listened to Dad not knowing at the time how his words were shaping me… effecting me. Now, at a time when I cannot say “thank you,” I realize that it is because of him, and the impact that I have witnessed him have on others, that I understand what truly is important in this life, something that all the other speakers I have witnessed failed to do. It is because of him that I strive to have a positive impact on all those I come in contact with… to be the best person I can be… the best father… the best husband… the best friend. And for that I am forever grateful.
The day Dad passed away, he was on vacation in Florida. With little discussion, I sent my wife and her sister to Florida to be with Mom. After they departed, I found myself alone. Once I arrived back home from the airport, I did the only thing I could think of… I went fishing.
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