Honouring my Dad

This is a different post from my usual “business” focus, but its in my heart at the moment and is about relationships.

My father recently passed away, and I had the honour and privilege of sharing a very difficult time with my close-knit family. We surpassed my best expectations by making some difficult decisions together with dignity and respect for everyone involved.  Dad would have been very proud!

Perhaps my interest and skills in developing and maintaining relationships came from Dad; we were somewhat astounded as more than 200 people showed up for his memorial service. Dad had obviously made a positive impact on a lot of people in his all-too-short life.  All of Dad’s immediate family was together – including his 4 sisters and almost all of his nieces and nephews (there were others who would have come if they lived closer).  People flew in from several locations across North America.  It was truly moving.

I am most proud of my mom and siblings.  We had some tough decisions to make and we were fully caring and supportive of each other through all of those.  Each of us experienced wonderful concern and support from our many extended family and friends.

So, in loving memory of my Dad:

“And when a man looks at a bird or feels the wind on his face, we should want him to tell us, if telling is his job, not only what he sees but how it affects him, in calm or in pleasantness or in ecstasy, so that we may nod in understanding and go about our business, however grim, with greater heart.”
- Neil Gunn, Highlands writer, Memories of the Months, 1941

Miss you, Dad!