A Tribute

To My Dad
(on his 60th birthday)

Two roads diverged on the journey called life, and, because you could not travel both and be one traveler, long you stood, and looked down one as far as you could see – until a bend hid its conclusion from your sight. It was a road of self-satisfaction and pride, though you may not have known it then, but you had a hunch that it would not give you what your heart truly desired.

So you took the other, less traveled road, as more just and fair, and having perhaps a better claim because it was grassy and not many passed there. It was a path of self-sacrifice, of giving and service and deep love, so rare; you chose to cultivate love and give it away, is this not rare as rare can be in a world such as ours?

Ah, but you were not content that is should stay that way – that so few should know what love truly is. And so you chose – you chose the path your life would follow, that initial choice making all the difference in the world. How were you to know how many changed lives hung in the balance of your decision? You had no idea, but chose the straightest path, though it was an uphill, perilous climb, because you were convinced it was right.

You had many chances to turn around, but you would not – Oh, you shunned that first road as an easier way, assured it was the way of most regret. You stayed true to the path you had chosen; stumbling and picking yourself up again, learning, loving, growing, fathering, leading, trusting, following, and expecting great things.

And that is why I can say of you, as you smile your knowing smile with tears in your eyes on your 60th birthday: cherished Husband to one, beloved Dad to three, extraordinary Granddaddy to five (and counting), and Hero to countless others. Two roads diverged on this journey called life and you – You took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference…
To Me.


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Note:
The above was inspired (as no doubt you noticed) by Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken."



Happy 60th Birthday, Daddy! May the next years, whatever they may hold, be richer and fuller than even YOU can dream. : ) I love you.