Dad,
I started writing you a Father's Day letter and I couldn't get through it.
Every time I sat down to write, I got emotional. I thought I was writing about distance, California, getting older, and not making it home this year. What I discovered is that I was really writing about you.
The older I get, the more I realize how much of you came with me when I left.
You taught me to try my best and not worry so much about the outcome. I still remember sitting in the car after wrestling tournaments when I was getting pinned in what felt like thirty seconds. You told me you didn't care if I won or lost. You didn't care if I got pinned in five seconds. You only cared that I wanted to be there and that I gave my best.
That lesson changed my life.
I still use it today. As a director. As a friend. As a son. As a person. When I put everything I have into something, I can live with the result because of what you taught me.
You taught me to respect women.
You taught me not to hurt people.
You taught me to stand up for myself, but not to strike first.
You taught me to keep my emotions in check when things got hard and to focus on the job in front of me.
You taught me that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing all the way. And do it right. The first time.
You taught me justice.
Not fairness. Justice.
You always wanted people treated the right way. You stood up for people. You helped people. You coached people. You taught people. You believed people deserved a chance and deserved someone in their corner.
You were that person for so many people.
You coached countless kids. You were harder on me because I was your son, and now I understand why. You wanted to be fair to everyone else. Looking back, I understand that more than I ever did as a kid.
You were also the guy everyone wanted to be around.
You brought people together.
I smile when I think about that because I realize I do the exact same thing.
I didn't invent that.
I got it from you.
The truth is, Dad, so much of who I am came from you.
For years I worried that when I left New Jersey, it felt like I was leaving my family behind.
What I realize now is that I never really left you.
I carried you with me.
They're all still here. I see them in my life every day.
I know Parkinson's has taken a lot from you.
But it hasn't taken any of that. Those things are still alive. They're alive in me.
Thank you for showing up for every game, every match, every practice, and every stage of my life.
Thank you for teaching me how to be a man.
I love you.
Dave
