Laboratory rats made Roger a fink
And the laws of science drove him to drink
Working for the taste of public acclaim
And a cure that bore his name
Nobel prizes would have been nice
But he lost his mind to renegade mice
Roger traded dreams of ‘Man of the Year’
For an understanding shrink . . .
Dear Dad,
Happy Belated Birthday. It was an interesting year. I know you are doing quite well. However, there are many times where it would be nice to see you. However, I’d be a fool to even consider depriving you of the joys you are experiencing at this time. I’ve always disagreed with others when they claim y’all in Heaven are looking down on us. You better not be staring back on Earth when you have the opportunity to experience the whole glory of G-d’s presence! I’m not worried about it; our time will come and we will finally understand just how silly it is to even think that you are staring and watching us from Heaven. You didn’t fight the battles you did, here on earth, to simply move to a place where you could be a casual observer of our own fights.
Well, it was a happy birthday for you. The family spent time together and I’ve realized just how important they are to me during these times. We have our minor discrepancies. And I still believe the kids to be obnoxious monsters who do not understand the value of appreciation. However, that’s life. We’re doing well, Dad.
There have been many instances where you’ve come to mind. Most of the time, I think of you when I have the opportunity to do work in the garage on my car. Call me crazy, but I feel like I get to know you better when I use your old tools. “Always use the right tool for the right job, Aaron.” rings in my head while I dig through your workbenches looking for just the right part to the project I am working on. You taught me very many lessons without ever opening your mouth. I think of all the times I watched you, working on a car or fixing a computer, where I was able to gain important knowledge.
There are a lot of moments where I wonder why things didn’t go according to our plan. Why did things have to get so ugly between us during those college years? Why couldn’t we have gotten along better? Why couldn’t you have taken notice of your cancer symptoms? These questions will never have answers. Neither do they need to. The cards have been played and the game continues ever on, even if it’s without you.
More than ever, it would be nice to have an earthly Father figure who I could look up to. It’s a constant for me to remember my age and place in life. I identify with the level of my peers, thinking my income should be near theirs, or that I should have the opportunities they have. You were always very good at presenting me with a good picture of where things stand in the present. Perhaps it was my fault for never taking better notice, but I never realized just how much of a dreamer you were.
Well, I guess the best way to see this is that I miss you for who you were and also who you weren’t. For what you were, and what you never had the opportunity to be. You taught me a lot. Sitting here, as a 22 year-old boy who desperately wants to be a man, I realize just how much more there is to life and how hard one must fight in order to win this battle of life.
As always, my eyes have been opened to the race that I am running. And it has only been through the observing of you passing the finish line that I have realized my feet, too, are bearing down on the track. I yearn for eternity, though I know my fight here is far from over.
I want to thank you for always being Superman to your family. I cannot even fathom the weight of the burdens you bore, all in love for the ones you loved. You had many moments of failure, but even greater victories through the toughest of circumstances. You were and are a true champion in my book. Not every athlete will wear the gold medal, or every businessman be on the front cover of the Wall Street Journal. But, you have far-surpassed these individual accomplishments in my mind. And I believe that because of your great sacrifice and dedication to your family, that these accomplishments will be reaped tenfold through our family. I will certainly do my part to contribute.
Well, real life calls and I think it’s time to unbury myself from a coffee cup and face the music. You are dearly missed by all of your family. However, you ought to be proud in knowing that your passing was not a crippling to any of us. Rather, it was the most empowering moment any of us have felt. It was real.
Dad, I love and miss you. I am looking forward to that glorious day of tapping you on the shoulder and seeing you, face-to-face.
See you soon, Superman.
Aaron Plaat
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