September's Person

Each month I want to highlight a different person I've met or heard about.  There are some amazing people in my life that I would love to write about later, and some incredible individuals in the news like the guy who gave his coat to a robber and the man who swam the channel without limbs, but this month I've been thinking a lot about my dad.

Most of you who know me know that my dad was a huge influence on my life.  He died so many years ago now, but I still think of him all the time.  This month was his birthday and the start of the NFL season.  I can barely sit down for a game and not think about when he would fly home for Sundays or the weekends and watch the Vikings with my grandpa and I.  I remember getting fried rice every week and eating out of the carton during the game.  When I got older we would talk on the phone at halftime of Viking games if I was in Eau Claire.  When we would watch together he would give the same speeches about how the game is fixed as Moss went for a touchdown, or how Culpepper wasn't as good as I thought he was.  I have a lot of good memories there.

The thing that stands out about my dad is that he truly has left a legacy.  There are a lot of areas where I want to live as he lived and honor what he has passed down.  Here are just a few.

1.  Integrity:  My dad stood his ground, even when it cost him.  Sometimes it cost him a friend, or a deal, but he wouldn't go back on his word or compromise his morals.

2.  Humility:  I have several distinct memories of my dad coming to me and asking for forgiveness and understanding as he wanted me to know that he didn't live perfectly.  He made it easy to seek forgiveness and showed mercy.

3.  Love:  My dad genuinely loved the people in his life.  I will never forget watching him spend all of his energy showing how much he loved his friends and family in his last week.  I pray that I will do the same.

My dad will never be forgotten, and that the legacy of my life will be similar with my kids.  I know I am spoiled to have a dad like I did and that many of you did not have that opportunity.  Truly, I am sorry about that, but I pray that God will bring someone into your life even now who will play a similar role for you going forward.