MY TW0 CENTS

MICHEL TESTER

The Greatest Teacher Of All

My dad passed away unexpectedly four days before Thanksgiving, seven months after he walked me down the aisle at my wedding. I was only twenty-four years old.

I was sitting at home writing him a poem that I intended to give him as a gift on Christmas. I got the call that there had been an accident and to come to the hospital.

He had suffered a massive heart attack while he was out getting my mom apples for her to make her traditional apple dumplings for Thanksgiving. Needless to say, my mom never made her apple dumplings for Thanksgiving ever again after that day.

I finished my poem for my dad after he passed away, even though I couldn’t give it to him. It was painful, but I knew I had to finish it…for him. I read it at his funeral. My father was a gentle man, a man of few words. Yet, when he did speak, you knew it was important, and to listen. He wasn’t a storyteller, never boasted about himself or what he had accomplished. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He taught me so much about life, about respect, about perseverance, about values, and about responsibility. He truly was my greatest teacher. I miss him every day. I’ve included below the poem I wrote him.

What lessons and teachings have you learned from your father? Don’t regret not telling him “thanks.” Tell him directly or write him a letter. Even if he’s not here anymore, writing down the words of lessons and thanks can be very cathartic. That’s just my two cents. To all fathers, Happy Father’s Day.

My Father

There is one man in my life who stands out above the rest. Who in his quiet way took a hold of his little girl’s hand and never let it go—walking through good times, running through bad. I always knew his hand was there. That man is you, Dad.

Now your little girl is grown and on her own, but I want to thank you for that hand, Dad, and for never letting go.

I know we’ve had our differences—that’s true—but I could never express how deeply I value all the things I learned from you.

You taught me humor. The art of not only laughing at life’s funny times but also being able to laugh at yourself when life gets a little too hard to handle. You showed a small child and young girl that when the pain got too bad, laughter was the best of medicines. When you feel the laughter, your heart can’t feel sad. Your laughter eased the pain a lot, Dad.

You taught me to enjoy life. To grasp and hold on to all the good things life has to offer. To take one second out of every day—no matter how bad—and treat myself to life’s pleasures and rewards. And to never settle for less than I deserve.

You taught me dignity. In a world that can sometimes bring you down and throw you a sudden hard ball, I learned to always hold my head up high and know I am somebody special—no matter how bad the fall.

You taught me respect. It was the most valuable gift you could give someone and give yourself. It was to be earned, it was to be expressed, and it was to be treasured. You have my respect, Dad—you’ve earned every ounce of it.

Thank you for these teachings you probably never even realized you taught. I will live each day of my life learning from them, standing proud and tall. For you are my Father—the greatest teacher of all.                                                 I love you, Dad. Merry Christmas, Michele