The past two weeks I have been out of the office a lot, performing a part of my job that I love...talking. Specifically talking about United Way to people from all walks of life. Part of my presentation is to tell a little about how United Way has affected my life personally and I share very little before getting choked up and having to move on to my closing remarks. Last year I could talk about the same topic and not get emotional. This year is different. 

This year my dad's Alzheimers has progressed much further.

I spend  quite a bit of time now missing my dad, the man that he was. I know many of you reading this have lost your fathers and know what I am feeling, I get a tightness in my throat and tears in my eyes remembering how much I believed in and trusted that my dad could fix anything. From the broken dolls of my childhood, to the flat tires and broken hearts of my teenage years, to the broken down antiques that I picked up and he would transform into beautiful and useful objects for my first years of home owning. 

My dad no longer fixes things, he relies on my siblings and I to fix things for him.  And even though the dad I once knew is gone, a different dad is here, still teaching me today. 

Dad continues to teach me patience. 

As he struggles very deliberately but very slowly to move his glasses from his pocket to his face, I have to be patient and celebrate the fact that he is still able to do this for himself. It forces me to find things to share with him. He still loves to hear about what I am doing.

Dad continues to teach me to find humor.

Even as he loses his memories, he has not lost his sense of humor and sometimes that is all I recognize in the man he is today.

Dad continues to teach me unconditional love. 

He is always happy to see me and never lets me leave without reminding me how much he loves me. This is a gift, as verbally sharing our love was not something my family ever did much.

What does this have to do with United Way?

Actually quite a bit.  We want to help our communities recognize that at one time or another every one needs others to be patient with them, to find humor to lift them up and to feel unconditional love. Everyone needs to believe he or she is not here alone and that others are willing to help.  

If we could all rely on these three things, imagine how much better our world would be.

Thanks for listening!