Posts Tagged "candle"
Life’s challenges, the spirit of a dad and a candle burning bright
Disclaimer: Some of you may find this post heartbreaking. I know I did.
They say that life has it’s ups and downs and we should learn to expect it. The reality, however, is that we never expect it and it hurts like hell when life seems to take a nosedive. A friend and fellow dad is living through one of those times. He doesn’t know that his strength of spirit that is seeing him through this is also teaching others about what it means to be a father, husband and, ultimately, a human being.
My friend is a caring person. He’s a professional at work and an honest-to-God family man at home. He’s been a mentor and a friend to me for the four years I’ve known him. And if you saw him in the street, you would not know that this was a man that gives so much. You would, however, quickly see that he loves being a dad and he’s a darn good one.
It is for these reasons that it pained me so when my freind was recently laid-off from the job he’s done so well for so many years. It wasn’t a performance issue. It was simply a “reduction-in-force”- a procedure so in vogue recently. It’s cruel. It can turn your life upside down. However, my friend bore this with the strength of spirit he’s always had and turned to his family for support. You see, he defines himself more as a dad than as a professional. He will find another job.
The pain I felt when my friend lost his job pales in comparison to the horror I experienced when I learned that one of his sons passed away on Monday while undergoing a medical procedure. His son was in his early teens and lived with a handicap.
Although this tragedy would utterly crush most, my friend is again showing tremendous strength of spirit and holding his family together while grieving for their loss. I realize now that he is able to do this because he feels responsible to be “dad”, to take charge of the situation and try to make things better for the family. It’s a herculean effort but he’s doing it.
My friends, I don’t want to end this in a negative way. Instead, I want to share with you what my friend and his family already know, what all of those that knew his son already know. We know that although his son was with us a short time on this earth, he tought us all so much. A small boy, handicap from birth, didn’t care what you looked like or whether you had money or not. He hugged everyone and greeted you with a smile. He showed everyone that we can love each other even though we don’t know each other. He showed us we are brothers and sisters all living the human condition. He showed us not to let small things get us down.
In the end, he showed us how one person’s internal candle, burning bright, can make everyone else’s candle brighter.
It was an honor for me to have known you, my friend’s son, and thanks. My prayers, and I hope yours, are with my friend and his family during this time.
All the best
Read MoreCarry your candle and light the world- why I write this blog
Recently, I’ve been pondering why I write this blog. Times are crazy for me at work. My kids are growing up faster than I want. I hit 40 earlier this year and my hairline is receding fast while my midsection expands even faster. I’ve got a lot going on! So, I wonder to myself, why do I take the time to write this blog?
Some bloggers do it simply because they enjoy it such as our friend Metro Dad. For others, they’ve turned it into their profession as our friend Writer Dad. I don’t really fit into those two categories. I’m feel too rushed sometimes to really enjoy it and my job certainly doesn’t allow me the time to turn it into my profession. So, why do I take the time to write?
Then, sitting at Church listening, it hits me. I’m carrying my candle and I’m trying to light my world. I’m doing the best I can with what God has given me. I love being a father and I love to write. That is my candle. I’m trying to do my small part and light the world with it by sharing my love of being a father through my humble and less-than-eloquent words.
There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings fire, ignites a candle and makes His home
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Go Light Your World, by Chris Rice
All the best
Read MorePlease stay in touch!
About Me
I'm a forty-something father and husband in training. It's on the job training and I'm doing my best. I share my successes, faux pas and experiences as I try to keep my priorities straight while climbing the corporate ladder (a/k/a the rat race).