I met a person in passing today who knew my father. My father passed away almost five years ago, and it stings less each day.
This person graduated a year behind Dad. She said that she was heavy set in 1968 and that didn’t go over well in West Virginia at that time. Guys ignored her. But not my Dad she said.
She said that my Dad always smiled, greeted her each morning, and treated her with respect. She said that he was “so sweet” and never forgot After she lost weight in later years she searched for him and when she saw he was married, she stopped her pursuit. She saw that he died in the newspaper but thought it silly to show up at his funeral.
Yes, she was drunk tonight, but she cried in my arms and told me that my father was a wonderful person and that she hoped I was like him. Wow…45 years later and simple kindness leaves an impression upon a person.
Maybe she was crazy and she was definitely drunk. But my father’s name brought that out. So be courteous to everyone, and thank my Dad for doing a good deed that has lasted for 45 years. If I can be half of the man he was…I will do fine.
Thanks for listening…