Many years ago a man and wife along with two daughters showed me care, or maybe I should just call it what it is… they loved me… but why? I was a problem child! Drugs, drinking and all that comes with being a troubled abused child. The love they showed never left my side and in fact, The love they showed has influenced my every decision, never knowing when they would reappear from my memories and reminding me I am worth loving.
Today I remember the day I went to visit them in the great north woods at the vacation spot, years away and never talking but I never forgot. The day I stopped was the day I picked up a new puppy in Bemidji, me, my boys and a new puppy… but no wife, I had entered into a chapter of pain. I remember sitting, and crying as my boys were distracted outside by the same girls from my adolescent neighborhood… it was my first weekend of a new glorious life. Eventually my life would be blessed by my dream girl, Jess. They breathed hope and love back into a lifeless corpse of a man, again, taking from the pot of love that overflowed and dipping a portion of hope from the lifelong experiences of walking in God’s guidance.
That night… one broken man, three young boys, a guitar and a small white German Shepherd pup quietly wept in a tent. Camping was always our go to for fun, and the small state park south of Deer River now holds a private place in my heart as the beginning of my new life. Ironically, this is near the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi river, two separate journeys, one to the golf of America and the other? well its only a few miles from that vacation spot where I found hope in life, from a couple, a second time.
Today I remember Dan, as he went to be with the Lord yesterday. I recognize his time, compassion and his quiet hope… his love for his girls and the wife he adored. One hand on the shifter of his van, one hand held a newspaper and a heart that was held by Jesus.
Today your fight is over and you get to meet our creator face to face, your legacy lives on in my life as I give back that which was given to me. Your love and concern for a dirtbag, drunk, pill popping, loser of a boy. Your belief in me has always been a light in my dark hard heart, a light that I can not contain, a light so bright that I need to give it to those who can not appreciate what you did, what God did in your life and what you gave to me. If I had one wish in my short life, it would be to change one boy like me. To help change one life, to help another love God and serve others.
Rest in peace my mentor and friend. See you soon! Say hi to my sister, mother and all those that are waiting for us to come home.
C.
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