Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Opportunities to Change a Life

"There is an opportunity every day to show kindness to others."
~Mama Hen
When my Dad died the funeral parlor had to stay open for about three extra hours for his wake, because the line of people were out the door. I was so far gone in shock, disbelief, pain and emotion that I really did not notice much of anything during that time other then missing him so much that my existence shut down. However, the one thing that I did happen to notice was that there were so many people coming in to see him. Who were all of these people? I knew my Dad was so liked by many people in the business world and outside of it, but they came in droves.

One thing that continually stood out was that people would say "I just talked to your Dad" or "I just saw your Dad". My father was the busiest person I have ever known. He worked so hard in everything he did and then he made time for family. So how could he have just talked to all of these people?

As time went on and I learned to deal with "loss" and a pain that I still work on to this day, I would bump into people who knew my Dad. They would tell me how he "helped" them set up their business. How he "helped" them when they had no money to get on their feet. How he "helped" them get a job. How he "helped" them stay together in their marriage. It was absolutely amazing to hear. People I never even met before would tell me these splendid stories about him. One particular older man saw me at a store and asked if I was my Dad's daughter and I said yes. He started to cry as he reached into his wallet and pulled out a newspaper clipping with my Dad's picture. It was worn and rather creased from having been tucked in there for so many years. He told me that my Dad changed his life. That he believed in him when no one else had and Dad helped finance his education so that he could get out of a hole he should have never been in. He told me he loved my Dad as a father and gave me a hug.

There are so many opportunities for all of us to "give" of ourselves no matter how great or how small they may be. I will never forget when that man pulled my fathers photo from his wallet with tears in his eyes.
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40 comments:

  1. What a wonderful, wonderful man. Thanks for sharing his story.

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  2. Wow. My eyes teared up when you mentioned the man that kept a newspaper clipping of your dad in his wallet. What an amazing testimony to the man he was. He would be so proud of you. Hugs, Mama Hen. ♥

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  3. Awesome legacy to leave behind! Thank you for sharing!

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  4. An amazing man, no wonder you are such a kind and loving person, Mama. It just shows that there are opportunities to make a difference every day, no matter who you are. Thanks for sharing your dad's story.

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  5. Thank you for sharing about your Dad.. It is so wonderful to make a positive impact on the world.
    Prayers for you and your wonderful family.

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  6. I bet that brings so much comfort to know how many lives he touched!

    My dad died two years ago and I love hearing other peoples' memories of him, especially new stories and memories I haven't yet heard.

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  7. Sometimes the tiniest gesture of kindness may not be a big deal to the doer, but it may mean the world to someone. Your dad was such a compassionate man. He's in a good place up there.

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  8. Wow. That just gives me goosebumps. Your father was a real hero.
    xoRobyn

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  9. Wow, what an amazing story! Your dad sounds like such a wonderful man! I joined the nestwork and I would love to be featured sometime! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! Can you believe we are already half way through it?

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  10. It sounds like your father was an amazing man who touched so many lives! You're following right in his footsteps in your own way. This would have been a great post for "cherished moment Monday"! Have a great rest of the week. Did you see Cassiopeia created a button for me? I'm behind but hope to catch up soon. -EW

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  11. What a great tribute to your dad to have all these people who love and appreciate him. And how wonderful that you got to hear some of them tell you how much he did for them.

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  12. What a touching tribute to your dad! He sounds like a wonderful man!

    ~ Jenny ( I'm a full-time mummy )

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  13. wow what a wonderful man of God your father must be...thanks for sharing the most inspiring post with us Mama Hen.
    Blessings,
    Ruth

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  14. I am so proud to share his blood, and yours. I love you both very much.
    xxx
    P.

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  15. What a wonderful and touching post. Your dad was one of a kind!

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  16. Your dad sounds like he never took a day or opportunity for granted. Sometimes the smallest gesture means the most to others. Thanks for sharing this story!

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  17. Thanks for sharing about your dad. How awesome it must be for you to know how much he meant to others! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  18. This is such a wonderful post. It's amazing that you can continue to know more about him and his kindness even after he's left. Thank you for sharing this.

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  19. This is so sweet. I'm following you from MBC, and I joined your Nestwork. The button is now on my blog. If you get a chance, stop by and say hi. :o)
    chat later!
    natalie

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  20. How blessed you were to have a father like him. And what a sweet tribute to your dad who meant so much to so many people. How comforting to have that knowledge of how he affected people's lives.

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  21. You have me in tears. what a beautiful man your father was and what a beautiful relationship so many others had with him along with you. He must have been an extraordinary man and his legacy definitely lives on through SO many :) Such a powerful statement you just made

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  22. Wow. Sounds like you had an amazing father. :)

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  23. Wow that brought tears to my eyes. Mama Hen, I don't know how it feels to lose someone you deeply love but I hope your heart has healed and that your dads presence is always with you. I think through hardships like death, you understand and appreciate so much more. Much love to you Mama Hen <3

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  24. Wow. I'm speechless. Your dad gave of himself so freely, touched so many lives. The man whose life was changed b/c your dad believed in him & helped finance his education...that's incredible. His legacy lives deeply within you, Mama Hen. You're living it out by giving of yourself - your time, energy, encouragement. You're living it out by believing in and helping people in so many different ways! The Nestwork being one of them! I appreciate you so much, Mama Hen!

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  25. What an amazing post and how wonderful of a man your father was. You were truly blessed in life to have a father like that and we should all strive to live up to his example and others like him.

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  26. What a splendid Man your father must have been. I hope you find comfort in his memory and how other people view him. It appears to me that the apple didn't fall from from the tree :)

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  27. Thanks for sharing about your dad. Very touching. i am now your newest follower.

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  28. This is such an inspiring story - I just know that one day someone will be telling this kind of story about you to Little Chick.

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  29. Oh my - what a legacy to leave you - and it seems you are following well, in his footsteps.

    Amazingly, I have a similar story. My Dad was very quiet about all the things he did. It was only at the funeral with lines of people (for 3 days) telling me stories of how he had touched them or what he had done. I never knew. Wish I had.

    Thanks for always making me thing and be thankful!!
    xoxo

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  30. This would be the kind of man I want Little Bit to grow up to be. I grew up without a father so I pray daily about the example that my husband gives to him, since I don't have that personal father relationship to go off of. My grandfather was my father figure and he was/is the rock of our church so at least I know where I'd like him to be spiritually.

    Thanks for sharing this. It gives us all something to think about, how we would want to be remembered when we pass away. How the actions we take in our lives may affect someone more than we'll ever know.

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  31. HI again - thanks for the invite for your feature in 2 weeks. I'd love to!!! (I'm away for awhile but will check in with you end of next week.
    Hugs,
    W

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  32. What a nice way to be touched by your Dad years after he has passed away! He had such an impact on peoples lives, what a gift. How lovely that you are having the same affect on people today.

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  33. Mama Hen, thanks for the invite. i just entered for the nestwork network!!

    Hugs,
    Ruth

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  34. You are who you are because of him. I don't know you personally, but from how you write and comment, you are a genuine soul, just like your dad. Great tribute to him! He's smiling down on you- always.

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  35. Thats beautiful. May we all strive to leave such a legacy. :-)

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  36. How he touched so many lives is a marvel! He was a gift from GOD and all who knew him were blessed, especially his 2 daughters!

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  37. oh my goodness...so sweet! I don't know you (in fact first time here) and I am teary eyed.
    naina

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  38. wow, i continue to be inspired by how you write about your dad. he was such an amazing man! that's the kind of legacy we should all hope to leave...

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  39. p.s. Hey Mama Hen. I just wanted to let you know that I mentioned this post in my shout outs! this week. :) Love it!

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  40. Excellent post, Mama Hen! I'm sorry about your dad...he sounds like he was a wonderful man!! I want to leave a lasting legacy like he did, for my kids and for the lives I touch along the way. When I get to the end of my life, I want God to tell me, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I can't think of a better motivator for living my life.
    http://www.inspired2cook.com/

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