I never walk into church withou gazing at one special church pew, third row from the front on the right,and seing that old familiar worn blueand white sweather that my dad wore and thinking,

Dad, I wish I could be like you

I think of all the buildings and millions of brick, block, andstone that he laid throught the country I can rememberas a child watching him stand for hours in the hot sunGoing about his work, wet with sweat dripping from hispant cuffs, still no complaint and never see a tearin his eye.

Dad, I wish I could be like you

I think of his family life where he had to have many disappointments and seen him walk away many times from bad situations, saying nothing in retaliation. I've seen the hurt in his eyes when his children didn't understand the hand he was being dealt, yet he remained proud of his children and grandchildren and stood behind them in any accomplishment they might make, whether it was completing school or hanging tough in Little Leage baseball games.

Dad, I wish I could be like you

He probably made more noise on a golf course than he did in church. His voice wasn't strong and might struggle a little, even dismissing church service. But on Sunday morning, you could find, third row from the front on the right, usually wearing his worn blue and white sweater, showing his faith in God. This was my dad. Never critical or judgmental of others, but letting the way he lived his life and treated others be the message.

Dad, I wish I could be like you

When his life was drawing to a close, I was with him. The doctor told him the bad news. He looked at the doctor and me and said without a tear, "I guess my back is to the wall now." Ye he remained mentally strong until his last breath, still taking pride in his family and friends and talking about the things he cherished . Maybe someday, Dad, we can sit and talk some more. Maybe even on the third row from the front on the far right. But I guess I'll need to find a worn blue and white sweater so I won't look out of place. Although I fully realize that I am playing on the back nine of my life now, amazingly the feeling is even stronger

Dad, I wish I could be like you

One of the greatest accomplishments a father can have in this life is for at least one or all of his children to be able to say:

Dad, I wish I could be like you

P.S. Dad, is there a golf course up there?