Longest Night

[Deep C]

Well here it is again. The longest night of the year. Stand out date in my world. It was the night I was conceived a long long time ago. Fourteen years ago though it was the night I lost my Dad. Once again its not meant as a come down. rather I salute his memory on this date each year with a post...
True rags to riches story. Street urchin from Wilminton never really did school. Worked his way through army air corps flying B25's in north Africa in WW II . Worked in various positions for airlines then moved to business management. In the early 60's he went to work for a small oil filter company and worked his way to the top seat. By the time he retired from there as CEO he had grown it to a Fortune 500 company...
Retirement didn't last long and he took the directors seat at NASCAR along with other board positions in various industries.
Gifted as he was at big business, that paled in his ability to communicate with anyone on any level. He was friends with true royalty and power people the world over but his favorite passtime was slipping out of a board room or VIP Suite to go rub elbows with the ground floor guys. The ticket takers at the race tracks or the guy pushing a broom on a factory floor received the same warm respect from him as the guys in the oval office did.
Through it all he took time to be with me. Countless days fishing be it on the flats of Deep Water Cay or banging blues in St. Thomas. He was always proud that I did what I do. No hanging on the coat tails, being my own man. I do miss him so but the sadness gives way every time to the gratitude I feel for knowing a truly great guy like him. I raise my cup of coffee again in toast to my old man!

[juicyhook]

Great post if only everybody strived to be that sort of person it would be a better place

[gottaflylee]

Great post Deep, I wish I could have meet him...

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Nice post Deep. Here's to your old man.
Holwachagot

[FLATLINER]

Amen to the above. Deep, it sounds like your Dad was an outstanding person. I know that the thoughts that carry you from day to day about your father, make you a better person! I raise my glass and drop my dredges in salute to you, sir.

Flat

[Robja]

Great post Deep.

[Tenacious]

Thanks for the story Deep, very touching!!!

[Agitated88]

Thanks for sharing Paul...sounds like a good man, the kind the world needs more of!!