I grew up without my father in the house and he lived about 1,000 miles away. While he has always been there financially I usually only saw him 3 or 4 times a year growing up but still a great Dad all things considered. I played sports all the way through High School and he came to single baseball game when I was a kid. Not having my Dad around weighed on me heavily as a kid. Fortunately growing up I had some awesome coaches and friend’s fathers that taught me a lot.
One of my good friend’s father growing up was always a coach on my baseball and basketball team but I also spent a lot of time at their house and camping with them. He was always good to me and I’ll always remember him cleaning and bandaging me up when just like I was one of his own when I had a pretty serious bike wreck at his house. Never really thought much of it growing up.
Granted I have not seen him in 20 years or thought much about him other then when I would come across team pictures from growing up. I found out he passed away two nights ago and all the memories came to my head like they were yesterday. I could not help but start to cry as the world has lost a good man. My heart breaks for his boys, my friends, if I was as impacted this much by him I can’t even begin to imagine what they are going through right now.
My boys are still very young but as they grow and they have friends that may be growing up without fathers I hope I can be to those boys what my friend’s father was to me.

I’m sorry for your loss Black. Even though it’s been 20 years, it’s not necessarily the time spent together as the impact on ones life. I’m glad this man touched yours in such a positive way.

I think you are right on, Black. I have had that experience of loss and the acute grief of having lost someone I didn't fully appreciate while alive. So many who are now gone who as a youngling I ignored or frankly just used without much more than a 'thanks!'....and off I went. I should have developed a deeper relationship.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I had the good fortune to work for a few weeks with Vaclav "Jack" Wenzel Krcma, Jr.

One day, Jack asked me in his gravelly voice "Greenie, why are you not at university?"

I didn't have a good answer, so a few months later I quit that job and went back to university.

Every time the question of continuing my education came up, I'd hear Jack's voice in my head.

I owe his question three degrees, an Associations, a Bachelor's and a Master's, plus my becoming a paramedic.

For some reason, I've been hearing Jack's voice again, and so I'm looking for some new educational path to follow.

Thanks Jack.