A Tribute to My Dad

I spent most of my childhood in Burley, ID. It was a good place to grow up. I have seen so much good in the people that live here. There are so many of you who make me want to be a better person because of your actions. However, I have also seen a lot of the hurtful, negative things that people are capable of. One of the things that hurts me the most is seeing people attack my family—specifically my Dad. I’m not talking about disagreeing with his opinions, but mean-spirited attacks on who he is as a person.

The purpose of this article is to remind each of you that there is good in everyone and that we find the most happiness by choosing to see the strengths in those around us rather than only their weaknesses. Many of you may disagree with my dad—fine. That is your right. However, I refuse to continue sitting in silence as one of the people who I love the most in this world is vilified. I plan on sharing just two examples of things that I have learned from my Dad so each of you can see at least a glimpse of the man who I am so blessed to call my father.

My dad taught me how to express love to others. One of my dad’s strengths is showing affection through hugs and a simple, “I love you.” I have never doubted that my dad loves me, and that knowledge has helped me through many different hard times. Because I know how much of a difference this has made in my own life, I always make an effort to outwardly express my love for the people in my life.

Every time I am tempted to ignore someone’s need because helping them would be inconvenient for me, I remember my dad waking up early what seemed like every Sunday morning all winter long to hook up a snow plow to his four-wheeler and plow the driveways and sidewalks for everyone in the neighborhood. Whenever I am tempted to give less than my best effort, I remember how my dad would then drive to the church building and plow the sidewalks and parking lot before church started. When I have finished an act of service and am tempted to say that my quota is filled for the next month, I think of how my dad would continue waking up early to plow for the entire winter. He has done this every winter for years. I hope to one day be able to serve with such selfless love as my dad.

If you only remember one thing from this article, I hope it is the reminder that every person you meet has strengths, whether you choose to see them or not. Each person has loved ones who are impacted for better or for worse by everything you say or write. I have shared with you a two small examples of the legacy that my dad is leaving behind for me. Please remember that each of us continually shapes the legacy that we will someday leave behind by our daily actions and interactions with those around us. I personally desire to be remembered for building others up rather than tearing others down. And I am grateful for a loving father who has helped me to believe in myself and taught me through example how to be a better person. I will never be able to list all of the things that I have learned from my dad. Perhaps the best way to express everything that I feel towards my dad is to simply say, “I love you, Dad.”