I am not rich. I do not own a business empire. I do not have a fortune to leave behind for my family. These are things which are often synonymous with legacy. For many of us, this is likely not the case. But that doesn’t mean that we do not have a rich legacy to leave behind. My children are mine.
My children are a reflection of me and my wife. They exemplify a lifetime of lessons and our guidance. Of course, there is a hint of outside influences which I will gladly attribute any questionable behavior to. I most certainly know it would not be from me! Maybe from mom?… For sure not me, though.
I have 3 children, as you can see from the pic above. If I remember correctly, that was New years eve right after I was diagnosed. The oldest on the left. He is currently away from home serving our country. He makes us proud every day. I am so happy to see him doing something he enjoys and is excelling. He is growing into an ambitious and responsible young man. I have no worries about where his life will take him.
Then we have the clown in the back. I’ll be honest, he is the poster child for “middle child syndrome”. He has a knack for keeping us on our toes. Life wouldn’t be the same any other way, though. He is also away from home at the University. He is studying music in a rigorous program. I have no problem saying that he is a talented musician. It is always one of my great joys watching him perform. It takes a lot of guts to get on a stage. I know I couldn’t do it.
Last, but not least, my baby girl in front. She is the youngest. She will be graduating from high school in a few months. She has the great fortune of being the last one at home. She gets to help take care of Dad! Well, her mother might have some words about that. She will be attending college next fall , but she is still undecided as to her degree. We love to get on each others nerves. It is hard to believe she is not a little girl anymore.
There you have it. My legacy. As a parent, you only hope that your children have learned what you have taught them and put it into practice. I know they are doing just that. I hope that I am setting an admirable example for them through my fight. They make me proud to be called Dad, by them. I hope they will be proud of me.
To be proud to call you Dad would be an understatement. Your love and devotion to us as your family, is the reason we thrive as people alone. I love you Dad, and don’t know who or where I’d be without you. Thank you for everything