I Miss Him

A few years ago, my father passed away, and the longer it has been, the more I miss him. Today, I was cleaning and found an old picture with him, making me more aware of his continued absence.



Of course, he is not really absent, because he taught me so many things I still use in my daily life. I think the biggest gift he gave me is this quote:

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. " --- (John) Calvin Coolidge

This quote has guided me through a large part of my life, and is still guiding me every day. It makes me aware that life is not about perfection and that it is ok not to be perfect yet. It makes me aware that even if I don't get everything done that I want to do, it is ok. It makes me look more consciously at what I did accomplish instead of what still has to be accomplished. It makes me persist in my life journey, even when things are not always as boring as I want them to be.

He lives in my memories and in my every-day life, and in the way I parent my kids. He lives in my hikes through the woods, where I can feel his presence in my enjoyment of nature and birds. He lives in the way I tackle new studies, the same way he was always learning new things. He lives in the stories I tell his grandkids, even when his youngest grandkid has never met her granddad in person.

"Where the determination is, the way can be found." --- George S. Clason

I am grateful for a wonderful father and the wisdom he has given me. I credit him for the persistence and determination I have developed, and for my sense of humor. I love you, dad!