[Previous entry: "The Best of Friends"] [Next entry: "Isn't Fluoride a Good Thing?"]

04/03/2007: "Father/Son - Mother/Daughter"

I have thought a lot about what it would mean for my son to lose his father. It would be hard on the whole family, but at the impressionable age of 12, it would be the most difficult for him. Since I haven’t lost either of my parents, it is not easy for me to imagine the pain. There is truly something special about a son’s bond with his father and a daughter’s bond with her mother.

It doesn’t matter whether you didn’t like the way you were raised and thus work hard to change yourself and the way you raise you children, or whether you think your parents were the best. Either way or a little of both, they still rule who you are and what you accomplish. I have an inner drive that pushes me to overachieve. I am not sure if it is innate, but I am sure that my parents fostered it. Seems I still work and achieve to impress.

Recently, three people in my office that I would consider mentors and even parent figures have each lost their significant parent. I have been thinking about them these past few days. Their parents lived wonderfully full and long lives and their passing was somewhat expected. Yet it still must be a huge blow. After over sixty years of life together, they knew you better than anyone and still pumped out that unconditional love and support.

Ellen, Joe and Abe, I wish you the best as you wrestle with your loss and come to term with what it means to you. And I thank you for your leadership and guidance in my professional and personal life.