Dear Dad,

I just want to say how privileged I feel to have been raised by you. You are someone about whom I can say with pride, “that’s my dad.” I can’t describe all of the ways in which your life, and your example and your teaching have helped me develop and mature, but I’d like to try.

The example that you set while I was growing up has allowed me to make decisions that have done nothing but improve my life. I think especially of your honesty, and integrity, your humility and kindness and patience. You respected yourself, and you showed respect to others. I think of your generosity toward your children both in time and money. Your wisdom, particularly in your spiritual life has been a life-saver for me. I am so fortunate to have a dad who isn’t afraid to stand alone for what he believes. I really admire that in you. I think also of the wisdom that you’ve shown in managing your money which has allowed me to avoid foolish choices and helped me to stay away from debt. You’ve taught me how incredibly important it is to have a good name in the community, a name by which one is known as someone that can be trusted. The love and respect and kindness that you showed for mom has been worth more than words can say.

The most important thing to me, and what I love most about you, is your faith in Jesus. What a wonderful heritage it is to have a dad that prays, a dad that trusts God enough to obey Him, and to have a dad who is man enough to submit to God’s will. I can’t thank you enough for that.

All in all, what I’m trying to say, is that in my mind, you have been a terrific example of what it should mean to be a man, to be a husband and to be a dad.

Thank you for all that you’ve done for me over the years. I’m grateful to be your son. Just thinking of you my friend - I miss you.

Clarence Holmgren 1913 - 2003