Retirement & Legacy

Retirement & Legacy
This was a big week for our family. We celebrated my daddy’s 51 years of teaching at Kentucky Country Day School in Louisville. We sat among faculty and students celebrating KCD’s 2018 retirees, on a school campus my siblings and I spent much of our childhood at. Though we didn’t attend KCD, this school has a way of making you feel a part of the family anyway. For years, I’ve had this same vantage point – watching my dad teach and preach. Yes, my dad is both a teacher and preacher. It’s not so scary. He’s the kind “type”. 🙂 It does mean he has a loud voice though. The man can’t whisper to save his life. Naturally, this made “the voice of the bearcats” a perfect fit for him (announcing KCD basketball and football games) in addition to teaching. My dad is also “punny” and won’t miss the opportunity to throw in a joke no matter what the conversation. Matt and I recently attended dad’s classroom and met a student who tallied dad’s puns in 2018. It was pushing 500. My dad is brilliant too. For 51 years, he taught Latin to two generations of KCD students. Imagine teaching your students’ kids! Dad said he got out before the third generation hit haha. This makes him wise too. 😉 I guess you could say my dad is many wonderful things… The older I get, the more often I consider what it means to leave a legacy. I believe my dad’s legacy is one of love and kindness. This legacy is his greatest “success”. I think anyone who knows my dad would agree. My dad has always been one to pursue and build community. Needless to say, KCD was the perfect school to welcome him 51 years ago. I have seen my dad in many different scenes around many different people. He is a dad, a husband, a teacher, a friend, a pastor, a grandfather, a brother, a mentor, a son, a neighbor, a “punny guy”…and I can confidently say he is the same person, all of the time, everywhere he goes. My dad is consistent, loving and kind. As a child, having this consistency in my dad mattered. Years later, I look for this same consistent loving-kindness in my world. I found it (and more) when Jesus became my Lord and Savior. I found it again when I met my husband. I have found it again and again in my life. My dad’s legacy started guiding me early on and will continue to for all of my days. I hope it guides others too. A student once told my dad, “Thanks for treating me the same whether I got an ‘A’ or an ‘F’ in your class.” Evidence of legacy. Now onto the chapter of retirement…I am confident my dad will continue to build community and love people. I believe his best years are still ahead. To our sweet Daddy – your family loves you very much. We are thankful for you and so proud of you.