The Eulogy

I had the honor of presenting one of the eulogies at my father’s funeral. I wanted to take the time to share it here for those of you who were unable to attend or did not have the privilege of knowing my father.

During the 24 hour car ride to South Carolina, I continued to reflect on how much my father taught me. 

For those of you who know my father and I, you know we had a very special bond. He was my best friend, my hero, my first love, and the person I went to for guidance. Every day he made my life better. He made everyone’s lives he touched better. He was a man who could light up a room. A man who other men looked up to. Kind, gentle, loving, and aggressive when need be. He was my mother’s and my protector. A person who everyone who knew him would turn to for guidance. 

As I sit and write this, it feels weird to say was. I feel as though a large part of me has left. My mother constantly called me junior because my father and I were the same person. Everything I have ever done in my life was to make my father proud. He and mom have always been my biggest fans. 

As I look into the future, I hurt. My father had so many plans, and one of his biggest plans was to be the best grandfather ever. I not only hurt for myself, but I hurt for my husband, my mother, and future generations who will not have the pleasure to meet the amazing man I get to call daddy. 

Because of him, I am a strong, independent woman who can fix any obstacle you put in front of me. June 21st was the worst day of my life. But because of my father, I know I will be okay and honor his memory every day. Especially when I talk shit or stir the pot. So today, rather than cry, I would like to celebrate our memories of the most amazing father around. He was taken way too soon from our lives, but as the song says, only the good die young. 

So before I leave you today, I want to share with you some of the life lessons my father taught me. 
1. Treat the janitor the same way you would treat a CEO because everyone has a purpose and should be valued
2. People suck but you don’t have to 
3. Life is better on the lake
4. You can’t fix stupid
5. Family is everything 
6. Work hard every day
7. Don’t spend too much money (which we all know how much mom and I love to shop, so I think I’m still learning this one) 
8. The people you surround yourself with say a lot about you (As you all saw today and yesterday, he was surrounded by amazing people)
9. The more food, the happier the holiday 
10. Ice cream can fix any wound 
11. Never let anyone tell you “you can’t do it,” and if they do, prove them wrong 
12. Put your heart into everything you do

Thank you all for being here to celebrate his life. Please continue to support our family as we grieve and learn how to live without my dad. But I can hear him saying right now, “Suck it up buttercup, we got shit to do.”

I want to open this time up for anyone who wants to share a memory of my dad.