Travels in Grants

There wasn't much about fathers in the news during their special day, but some families got together for a pleasant cook out. Many memories came to my mind- so a trip to the cemetery.

Tourists have remarked about the beauty of our cemetery – a lovely sign of respect for those who came before us. The early morning service on Memorial Day is usually cool and sunny with a small silent gathering of people, and the sound of some compassionate birds followed by the Twenty-one Gun Salute and soulful military Taps. 'The day is done ... to thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend'.

I sometimes visit my father's grave even though he lives in every cell of my body. He was a quiet man – no fame or fortune. He would have liked to

spend more time playing and watching sports and taking vacations to distant places – but he had a family to support. If he made a promise, he kept it. He knew a great deal about history, politics, religion and the news but never bragged about it. He worked 40 years for the same company, supervising a large group of difficult women who surprisingly described him as treating them fairly and always being helpful. He was denied major promotions because he wouldn't join a secret organization of top management that was against his beliefs. I never knew him to lie or cheat. He was strict, always expecting me to try to be better and face mistakes and difficulties. He was at my side when I was young while he told me the Christmas story. He was waiting for me at the train station in a really bad neighborhood when I nightly returned from school. He was at my side when I was driving on a major highway in a sudden blizzard. I couldn't see six feet in front of me. I couldn't stop because of the trucks behind me. I couldn't pullover because I didn't know where the edge of the road was and if it led to flat land or a gully. I felt helpless and like giving up. He calmly said 'Slow down, look straight ahead and keep going'. That advice has helped me several times during my life.

My father’s name is John. Unknown by the world, his greatness is that of all those sacrificing for others-like so many fathers.

Today's lesson: Honor your father.