If we are very fortunate children, we see in our parents how to exhibit
healthy love to one another. In that, Dad is my shining example of what
a man should be, to his wife and to the world. Genuinely, more than any
man I have ever encountered Dad is the example I strive to emulate.
When I hear myself be full of my self I have to stop to remember that
it was he who taught me how to express the greatest of strength through
humble action in honest deed. Mom was a force of nature with a strength
of will as great as any storm or sea, but Dad withstood the full force
of her strength in his love and patience for her, and was man enough to
understand that he would be far FAR less without he...

If we are very fortunate children, we see in our parents how to exhibit
healthy love to one another. In that, Dad is my shining example of what
a man should be, to his wife and to the world. Genuinely, more than any
man I have ever encountered Dad is the example I strive to emulate.
When I hear myself be full of my self I have to stop to remember that
it was he who taught me how to express the greatest of strength through
humble action in honest deed. Mom was a force of nature with a strength
of will as great as any storm or sea, but Dad withstood the full force
of her strength in his love and patience for her, and was man enough to
understand that he would be far FAR less without her supporting him in
his own enormous person. They taught me that tolerance is the greatest
strength; that love is not things given and accepted but the joy of
things shared; that the best love is the love of your best friend, your
mate, and that your best friend deserves your best love above all
others and all else.

In the natural balance of their relationship, Dad wasn't as
present for me as I might have perhaps thought I'd like, but just the
same I never really needed for anything else than that which he
provided, and Mom in her role between them made sure of that. I might
be a "stronger" man today if Dad were a "stronger" man with me as
compared to how other fathers parent, but then again I would surely
have missed much more than I did for the strengths he gave me to fill
the gap. They both were wise enough to trust themselves with me, and in
that understand that in doing all they could, they did enough.

Dad, if you're reading this from the cosmos, know that though
I never told you I love you enough, each and every day I love you more,
still.

I'm sorry if I ever let you down, Dad. Thanks for always picking me up.

Eric