A Tribute To My Father: Part 2

Four years ago I wrote about my father in a tribute article. My father was the kind of man I dream of being. If I can be half the man as he was, I would be honored.

I haven’t opened up on my blog about what happened just over a month ago.

After over a year of major health struggles, my father passed away. It was a rough time as we watched his health slowly decline.

My father, Pam, and I

Dad always had that great smile.

My father was a fighter. He fought long, hard, and valiantly to stay with us. In the end, he left us.

Today, I want to pay respects to my father via my blog. I hope you’ll entertain me.

A Tribute To My Father: Part 2

I don’t even know where to begin this tribute. All I know is that my father was the kind of man I strive to be.

He was loving and caring. People loved him.

He always had a smile on his face. Even after my mom asked to take the thousandth photo. My dad would smile.

He wanted to protect those he loved. On some of his worst days, he would call my mom or me into his room. He would share where his life insurance plans where or tell us to take care of someone special in his life.

As he entered Hospice, he was concerned about my mother and who was going to pay for the Hospice care. He wanted to make sure my mom was well taken care of. He didn’t want her left with a big bill.

He was a man who was bigger than life. His laugh would make you open up and feel comfortable. His smile warmed the hearts of those who saw it.

I am so thankful we have the videos and photos of my dad that we do. We couldn’t find a single photo where my dad wasn’t smiling.

My father was a great man. His ethics and genes live on in his children.

I am proud to call Joseph Elmer Lalonde my father.

I am sad I didn’t have more time with him, though some of his other children were blessed with 60+ years with him. They were blessed by my father’s presence in their life. I am grateful they had that long with my father.

I was blessed with his presence in my life. His legacy will live on in me and my siblings. I hope I do him proud.

Life Lessons From My Dad

  1. Put things back where you got them from. Then you know where to go next time.
  2. Take care of those you love.
  3. When life gets tough, you can keep going.
  4. Do what is needed.
  5. Don’t carry debt (unless 0%).
  6. Take care of your stuff.
  7. Shut the lights off when you leave the room.
  8. The fan will make your hot food cold.
  9. If you can’t do it, find someone who can.
  10. Visit your family.
  11. Laugh… a lot.
  12. Have fun.
  13. Have a hobby.
  14. Drive to the lake.
  15. Revisit your past.
  16. Do what is right.
  17. Get back up.
  18. Make people feel special.
  19. Love extravagantly.
  20. Leave a life worth emulating.

My father had 93 years on this earth. Each year he lived, he continued to impact those he loved and those who loved him.

Live life like my father. Make it count.

Question: What life lessons have you learned from your father? Share a memory in the comments below.

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