lesson from papa

on tuesday i did the eulogy for my papa. he would have been proud.

love you papa,

car

xo

Lessons From Papa: My papa. An artist, a writer, a music-lover, a mr.fix-it, a golfer & an activist. My papa was a true inspiration to many. He taught so many lessons that will live on forever. He taught effort, determination and motivation. He taught leadership, commitment and love. He taught people around him how to live a positive and grateful life and to always help others. He taught me what it means to make a positive mark in the world and how one creates a legacy.

I have a few stories that outline these...

i remember when i was really young and had a soother he always told me to get rid of it. i remember having the courage one day to say....fine! if you get rid of YOUR soother, which was his pipe, i would get rid of mine. he did. he quit smoking cold turkey. he proved to me that anyone can quit. they just need the right kind of motivation. apparently i was it for him. That sure was a lesson for me of motivation and determination that he taught me at 2 years old.

he was an amazing man around the community. He was named citizen of the year in 2006. he was actively involved with the art gallery, migrant workers community & countless boards & committees. His favourite involvement was with art at the marina. He loved being the first one there in the morning, deciding who was going to set up where, how things were going to run& what it was going to take to make the weekend a beautiful community event. Seeing the leadership & commitment for all of these things, makes me realize that involvement in a community creates love.

my last visit with papa was on Sunday.when I went to see him at the hospital he was so happy to see me. he touched my face and said "oh my beautiful dolly." i had to hold myself together so all i could do was plaster the biggest smile on my face that i could. he said the funniest thing to me that I'll never forget. He looked at me and said "have i ever told you that you have really nice teeth?" haha..it made me giggle. he told me that i had a beautiful smile and to keep on smiling. he said that i have so many beautiful years ahead of me and to just go and live and enjoy my life to the fullest.

I will do just that and encourage every one of you who has been touched by his presence to do the same. Keep on smiling and live your life the fullest.

We all love you papa.