This Tuesday the 12th marked the 1st anniversary of my Dad's passing away. It feels hard to get around that its been a year since Dad passed. We had a memorial service and get-together yesterday.
On this occasion, my brother Don spoke a few words. And here is what he said.
"
Thank you for coming and joining us at the one year anniversary celebration for my Dad. I use the word celebration purposely since we are here to celebrate the life he lived, a life that he lived with conviction, passion and energy.
When I look back, I look at the qualities and values that Dad wanted for all of us. Being different individuals, i think we picked up on the things differently. As a parent he was a strict disciplinarian, and he pushed us to work hard and give everything in life our best shot. As a grandparent, he was so very different with his grand-kids. He was super indulgent and had such a great and loving relationship with each of them. He would sing to them on their birthday and was the perfect definition of the grandfather who indulged his grandchildren, who in turn loved and adored him.
Personally to me, Dad left me with two core values. The ability to keep pushing, learning and improving every single day of our life. He was an inspiration in how he would always be working on getting more educated while he was working. The second value was generosity. He was always so generous and helpful to his extended family, his community and the world around him. I hope to come close to his standards in these values.
Thank you Dad for making us who we are today. We miss you and will remember you always.
"
And listening to Don speak was a reminder that Don himself was an unbelievable and amazing philanthropist. He's generous and giving and has put his heart and soul into supporting organizations, mainly in India not only with funding but more important with time spent by his family and him. Every time he visits, he spends time with what is probably his favorite cause, the Sharanam Center.
While all of this is commendable, what I find amazing is how he gets people around him to participate. He starts by appealing to their good side and when that doesn't work, which is most of the time, he uses every option available. Whether its making them feel guilty or cajoling them and finally his most lethal weapon, bullying them. In a nice, difficult to say "No" way.
I just wish there were more Don's. This world would be a far better place. And also to quote him, "I hope to come close to his standards in these values." Which is why I do think he has earned the title the world knows him by, The "Lobo".
On this occasion, my brother Don spoke a few words. And here is what he said.
"
Thank you for coming and joining us at the one year anniversary celebration for my Dad. I use the word celebration purposely since we are here to celebrate the life he lived, a life that he lived with conviction, passion and energy.
When I look back, I look at the qualities and values that Dad wanted for all of us. Being different individuals, i think we picked up on the things differently. As a parent he was a strict disciplinarian, and he pushed us to work hard and give everything in life our best shot. As a grandparent, he was so very different with his grand-kids. He was super indulgent and had such a great and loving relationship with each of them. He would sing to them on their birthday and was the perfect definition of the grandfather who indulged his grandchildren, who in turn loved and adored him.
Personally to me, Dad left me with two core values. The ability to keep pushing, learning and improving every single day of our life. He was an inspiration in how he would always be working on getting more educated while he was working. The second value was generosity. He was always so generous and helpful to his extended family, his community and the world around him. I hope to come close to his standards in these values.
Thank you Dad for making us who we are today. We miss you and will remember you always.
"
And listening to Don speak was a reminder that Don himself was an unbelievable and amazing philanthropist. He's generous and giving and has put his heart and soul into supporting organizations, mainly in India not only with funding but more important with time spent by his family and him. Every time he visits, he spends time with what is probably his favorite cause, the Sharanam Center.
While all of this is commendable, what I find amazing is how he gets people around him to participate. He starts by appealing to their good side and when that doesn't work, which is most of the time, he uses every option available. Whether its making them feel guilty or cajoling them and finally his most lethal weapon, bullying them. In a nice, difficult to say "No" way.
I just wish there were more Don's. This world would be a far better place. And also to quote him, "I hope to come close to his standards in these values." Which is why I do think he has earned the title the world knows him by, The "Lobo".
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