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Pops,
Well, it’s your 28th Father’s Day since I’ve
been around. This isn’t the first time you haven’t had a big fancy gift from
me to open and it probably won’t be the last. But I don’t think you’ll mind.
One of the greatest things you’ve taught me is to appreciate more than the
tangible. You instilled in me a respect for the things in life that are
there for all of us to enjoy if we look hard enough – love, friendship,
clean air, cribbage – while still managing to spoil me rotten. You gave me
all the things most parents, including your own, couldn’t afford, but never
let me forget that those things aren’t what matter most.
So what does matter most? Integrity? Friendship? Family? Love? Happiness?
Health? Success? Along with cribbage and cold beer I think it’s safe to say
we’ve covered our bases. So how do I achieve all those things? That’s where
you come in.
For nearly 28 years now you’ve been trying to teach me how to get what I
want. You’ve attached a moral to every conversation we’ve had. You’ve lead
by example. You’ve praised and you’ve reprimanded. You’ve taught me more
than anyone else I’ve ever met. You’ve filled my head with countless
lessons, and although I haven’t always heeded them, they’re up there.
They’re up there simmering, reducing, condensing. 28 years has rendered them
down to a simple set of principles to live by:
Be Nice
Be Honest
Be Thankful
That’s it isn’t it? That’s what it’s all about. I truly believe I could
forget everything I’ve learned about religion, history, politics, the arts,
and sales, follow these three principles and succeed beyond my wildest
dreams. Likewise, I could study every religion, every history book, every
politician, every work of art and every sales strategy, leave these three
principles out and fall flat on my face. I would add patience to the list,
but it’s not a quality you and I share (it’s the Murphy in me). So I must
forgo the patience and strike off with my new six-word doctrine.
There’s no gift I can give you to express my gratitude for what you’ve
taught me. All I can do is say thanks and try my best to make you proud.
Thanks Dad. Happy Father’s Day.
Love,
Chris
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