my Eulogy for my Dad
My dad was my hero. He was everything a man was supposed to be. He could fix anything and he everything about everything. He was the ultimate protector and provider. He was quiet and reserved but inside he was also passionate. He was passionate when it came to friends and family and he would move heaven and earth for them. He was always the first one to lend a helping hand.
Despite his rough exterior, my dad was a romantic guy. My dad called my mom "babe" and he kissed her goodbye every morning before work. After forty years of marriage they were still best friends. On valentines day he got roses and chocolates for my mother, my wife and my brothers girlfriend. He wanted everyone to feel special and loved.
My whole life I looked up to this larger than life role model and I wondered "how would i measure up?" My talents and passions were so different from my fathers. When i decided to compete in bodybuilding show, his eyes welled up with tears. It meant so much to me that he was proud of me for working so hard to acheive my dream even though it was different from his.
When i became a repair techician for planet fitness he was in his glory buying tools for his son, Even though he probably figured i would get hurt using them. It was a great way for us to forge a new bond. I would call him for advice and he had helped me with quite a few projects.
While all of these experiences were great, nothing compared to seeing him with my son. Their bond was priceless. I will always my dad coming up the stairs after work and my son running over to him. When it was time for us to leave he would say "I love you buddy!"
One day the three of us were in my parents kitchen and i turned to my son and said "Vinny, you are so lucky because you have the best papa in the world." To which my father responded "No Vinny, you're lucky because you have the best daddy in the world." I never thought i would ever be able to repay my father for all the tings that he had done for me but at that moment i realized that he was proud of me for the man i had become and that was the best way i could repay him.
The joke is often made about the moment someone realizes that they are becoming like their parents and the shock and horror at the thought but i would be honored to be compared to my father.
"when all of your wishes are granted, many of your dreams will be destroyed."