He was given 45 years – only 45 years to make his mark, to make a difference and to make a life. And so it began, in 1929 on the day he was born.
His parents were farmers and he was one of 11 children, only four of them being boys. Because of that fact he spent most of his days doing farm chores and working the fields; and as a young man this was not what he wanted for his future, so he joined the Air Force at 16 years of age.
After eight eventful years he left the military and an unfaithful wife, took his daughter and moved back home, still trying to find his way.
Being around family and friends again helped to rebuild his confidence and he found a new love, a new job and perhaps a new passion for life.
They were married and had five daughters together. Because he had no sons he taught his daughters how to play baseball, how to shoot a gun, and how to shoot a bow and arrow. He taught them to mow the lawn, butcher chickens and weed the garden. He reminded them to act like ladies and that their dresses had to be at least to the top of their knees. He took them fishing for hours at a time and had to keep reminding them to watch their bobbers and to be quiet or the fish wouldn’t bite. He loved to watch baseball and enjoyed having his wife and girls watch it with him but never forced them too. Whenever it was time to do some heavy digging on the farm, he’d always make sure the girls got a ride in the bucket at the front of the tractor, lifting it up and down until they laughed.
After years of struggling financially, he and his wife were finally able to buy a house for their family. The house was within walking of where he worked as a mechanic and things really seemed to be working out, including financially. He was on top of the world and excited for what their future as a family held.
Unfortunately for him, this was the end of his 45 years. There was no more time for him to make his mark, a difference or a future. No more time for baseball, fishing or rides in the bucket. In his last moments of life, as he struggled in the cold water he wondered if he had made his mark or even a difference in the world, and as he lost consciousness, he prayed that he had.
I know that this man had made a mark on the world and I know without a doubt that he made a difference. I know this because this man, with only 45 years, was my Dad.