I love to read. I have a lot of books. Many of them are the old, unabridged classics. Books like Tom Sawyer, Where The Red Fern Grows, and War and Peace. I have read Thoreau, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and so many others. I enjoy finding old books with the tattered covers and dog-eared pages. The smell of a time long gone.

People are a lot like books. Some are easy to read, many not so much. Some you instantly know you are going to read the entire “series”.  Some you hold onto and some you know are not for you to read the whole story.

Dave, my father-in-law, reminds me of a dusty old book. A book that will stay vivid in my mind until my last breath.

Dave’s cover was worn and broken in places. The spine weakened by the story unfolding on each page. It is rough, really rough around the edges but lures you in.

The first few chapters are difficult to read. Many don’t get past the cover page.  You have to read through the arrogance of a once young man. Stumble over the chapters of the callous words of a perfectionist.

You wonder why you even keep reading.

Believe it or not, children LOVE this book.

For those that do keep reading, the journey has just begun.

You turn a dusty page and a different story is revealed.

What you thought was arrogance, is really the wisdom of a confident man. The pure mechanical genius of this man is mind-blowing. Never did I imagine I would ever know so much about a micrometer and that it would be needed to make a flower-pot tower.

What you heard as callous words were the weird encouragement of a man who knew you could do better, that you could be more than you thought.

Somewhere around the middle of the book, you can’t put it down. This man and his story rapidly becomes a part of you.

You want more of his knowledge, wit, strength, convictions, and love. Yes, even crusty old books can show love.

Absolutely love!

This dusty old book is full of love. It’s subtle at first. Maybe a pat on the back or a “good choice” remark. Before you know it the book has embraced you in its larger-than-life pages and decides you will be a part of its story.

This book will be your friend for life now.

You will see the rough, calloused, crusty old book is really a love story.

Love of God.

Love of Country.

Love of Family.

Love of Life.

and….

Love of you, yes you!
Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Dad, thanks for letting me be a part of your amazing story.  See you on the other side. I will listen for the roar of a Harley.