Dear Dad,

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you how lucky I have been to have you in my life. We didn’t always see eye to eye… especially when I was younger. But we eventually worked that out. You mellowed with age and I grew up. It’s amazing what a powerful combination that is. It gave us the ability to be honest without being hurtful.

You weren’t a perfect father, but then I wasn’t a perfect son. It took a while for you to stop being disappointed in me and accept me for who I am. It took me a while to appreciate that your disappointment was about loving me and wanting what you believed was best for me.

Over time, I learned that I could love you without having to be you. I decided when I had a child of my own not to discipline from anger. My daughter was a teen before I raised my voice in anger toward her. I’ve never spanked my child. None of this says you were a bad father, only that I learned from you that wasn’t how I wanted to do things. I never felt abused, you were a product of your time as I am a product of mine.

You taught me a lot about how to live. You taught me about treating others with respect. You encouraged me to think for myself and to defend my opinions. Being who you were helped me learn how to be who I am.

I was fortunate to have you in my life for nearly forty-eight years. Four hundred and eighty wouldn’t have been long enough to say everything I wanted to say to you. Every time I talked to you, we always found something to laugh about. I didn’t call as often as I should have, but I enjoyed it every time I did. I will miss those calls for a long time.

I guess there are just a few more things I want to say to you…..

Thank you. I love you. I will miss you.

Cheers, Winston