The One Sure Bet



There is only one sure bet in life - it is that one day, Death will come for us all.

You see Death does not care whether you are young or old, rich or poor, alone in your house, or surrounded by people.  His timetable is his own.

And when he comes, he cannot be bribed with the wealth you've accumulated, or promises to "live a better life" going forward.  He turns a deaf ear to admonitions that it is "too soon," and he cares not whether you are "ready".

He comes...

And yesterday - he came for my Dad.

Now Dad didn't die with a lot of "toys" cluttering up his garage.  He and mom don't have a second house or cottage.  And there are no piles of wealth stored up in a bank account... Instead, Dad always thought that the measure of a life well-lived was in how he treated the people around him.

And so - rather than dying surrounded by a bunch of "stuff," Dad died awash in love, and surrounded by his family - with calls, texts and emails pouring in from Kalamazoo, Portage, and around the country.

One man - now in his 60's, who hasn't seen Dad in decades - wrote to say that as a child - he remembered Dad as his favorite "adult" neighbor.

A woman who knew Dad said she had recently been to a convenience store and seen a young woman and her children picking out snacks for the long car ride home.  Remembering how Dad ALWAYS looked for ways to be generous to others, the woman offered to buy the family's snacks - a simple gift of kindness - a way to "pay it forward."  She said she would continue to look for such opportunities, as a tribute to his memory.

Another couple told us how much they loved Dad, and how deeply and profoundly he had impacted their lives.  They said they felt he had been a father to them and a grandfather to their daughter.  They promised to name their soon-to-be-born baby - David, in honor of Dad.

You see - we all have choices about the life we lead, the legacy we leave, and what we will be remembered for.  Dad's choices - and his life - mean that as people remember him, they will remember a kind and gentle soul; one who constantly looked for ways to put others first.  One who will be deeply and wholly missed.

Thank you Dad - for being my Daddy - and for teaching me about life, and the things that truly matter.  My heart aches - but I am certain I will see you again.  Love you!

"For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:6 (I suspect this is not at all a coincidence - yesterday was 8/6 and this verse is a PERFECT one to honor Dad)

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