Happy Birthday Dad
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator ... advancing Character Leadership and Education ... to move forward together, stronger ... engaging change.
If I do my math right, this December 23 is your 95th birthday, the 16th since you left for the Next Realm. I miss you.
I remember the moments of faith you had in me, when maybe I did not. I miss your Steadfastness, Fortitude and Strength. I miss your Commitment. I miss your Helpfulness and Courage and Devotion. I miss the conversations, and that smile that made me feel like I wholly mattered, and was loved.
I miss learning of the man that was and is Malcolm George Green. I miss Dad. I miss Christmases with your birthday and you getting socks and being OK with that, watching as gifts were open. I miss you walking me through the Avalon Mall, desperately trying to find a large figure GI Joe and finding none on Christmas Eve, only to find one under the tree next morning from Santa. I miss your Patience with me. I miss you taking me to buy my first album. I miss you. I miss YOU. The you I knew. I miss your admiration for Rosey Grier, and your picture of JFK on the wall. I miss watching my first Super Bowl with you and becoming a Colts fan because it. I miss the look on your face when I came back with pictures of Nan and Pop's grave site in Winterton. I miss the drives around town when you could no longer drive.
I am not sure how good a son I was throughout, but I loved you throughout and I still, so very much, do. Even as I type, tears flow with no shame. It is right and normal and good to miss the man you were and are. My deepest faith knows that you are well and good in that Next Realm. It is not wishful thinking. I know that. But, oh for one more chat.
Most of all, and because of you, I know Trust. That day at the airport when you took me to depart for Vancouver for who knows how long... you and me ... and me feeling and saying "But what if it does not work out...". Your words... "You can always come home". I never doubted you had my back.
I never doubted it. You had a way of keeping going that inspired me more than I ever told you. You taught me Trust, by living example. I now trust that you are happy and well. I pray this prayer and will for every birthday. I trust that I will see you again. I trust that everything will be OK. I trust that good work (committed to) gets things done. I have run into people since your departure who have been kind enough to share stories of how you placed your Trust in them.
I will Trust.
Dad. I miss you, sooooo freakin' much. As your birthday arrives, that is ever heightened and deepened. The only gift I can give this year is my own trying to live up to what you taught by living. That, and a prayer, and maybe singing The Rose next karaoke. I am not sure if that will ever be enough, but it will be better than socks.
I love you.
Happy 95th.
Peace, passion and prosperity...
Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage
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