Happy Father's Day Dad

Wednesday morning I was making an emergency trip to Benton Harbor and I thought about today and what my post would be. At that point we didn't know if he would live to see Father's Day this year. Mom took Dad to the ER Tuesday night because he was having abdominal and chest pains and his blood pressure kept dropping. During the night when he received his second dose of Fentanyl it stopped his heart and he flatlined for over 2 minutes before they were able to bring him back. He has been in the hospital since, and is remaining there for the foreseeable future.

Sitting in the hospital room I have thought a lot about what kind of dad he has been. Each of us kids has a different version of who he is because of the different relationship he has with each of us. I am the oldest and I would say out of all of us I tested him the most. I am very like him in temperament.

His life is the example I hold other men to. Dad worked hard his whole life to provide for his family. We were able to have a mom that stayed home with us while we were in school because of Dad's effort. We were raised to respect, to work hard, and to love God. There were times when life was very challenging. I am blessed that my parents stay together and worked things out.

When dad started his company, times were lean but he always made sure he provided for us even though it meant he and Mom did without. He served his country as a Marine. He was an active volunteer in his community as a firefighter, building inspector and sat on the Township Building Commission. He kept the church financial records for many years. He's a man who is there.

Our relationship when I was young was often contentious because we were so much alike. I am grateful for that though. From Dad I learned to stand up for myself, voice my opinions, then stand for my convictions. When you asked Dad his opinion you were going to get it, even if he knew it was an opinion you were not going to like.

Cancer and the aftermath has ravaged his body. We call him the Energizer Bunny. We have been told time and time again that he was not going to survive. He has, against all odds and predictions. He is very sick right now. He has a good care team helping him and heaven knows he is a stubborn man and does not like to give in. If there is anyone that can beat what he is going through it is Ken Barker.

Happy Father's Day Dad. I am grateful that you are with us today, and I am especially grateful for the example of your life. I love you.