One daughter's heart for her dad at retirement

I drove to Starkville to be there for my dad's retirement brunch. My mind and heart flash back over nearly 43 years with him. He has spent 46 years in the work force - education, healthcare and sliding in home with the last 12 in public safety as the head of MASEP. It was an honor to be there and hear more about the great work he's done and more evidence that he's the man I call Dad. My memories flashed back to the time I got aggravated as a young child when he woke me one night with his hand on my back (he was making sure I was breathing). When the neighborhood boys picked on me, he sent me back out to deal with my conflicts (don't run away). WHen I had goals of trying to win a cross country race or catch every ground ball that came my way, he was up training with me and at the park on Sunday afternoons hitting me grounders (decide your goal, and work HARD!). He took teachable moments while riding around in his old GMC truck to talk about finances and faith. He was always up when I came in from a night with friends. He helped me discover my interests and strengths when in high school that impacted the career I am now in - I can't imagine doing anything else! He was a tough guy but found a way to take my hand when the surgeon was going to pull the drain from my knee after surgery (my senior year of H.S.) because he heard it was painful. So during my adult life I have seen him invest in "the least of these" that are hungry and in prison for nearly 20 years now. I've seen him invest in the next generation of youth in MSU sports and invest in his children and grandchildren. He has grown in his faith and is enjoyable to talk about the things that matter in life. He began praying about what God would have him do after he retired and he's taking those next steps to follow the Lord in what he is calling the "Starfish Project". Dad, you have never been shy about making it known how proud you are of us...you need to know how proud we all are of you! As you would tell us - "Keep the Main thing the Main thing"..."Do your best and forget the rest"...All your hard work and sacrifice has made a difference. My dad - A simple man. A solid man. Dad, you challenge me and encourage me. On behalf of all of us, we say congratulations on your retirement! Press on!