I took Luna out for a 3 mile walk instead at 6 am and it was great.
I always think of my father, Jack Turley, on this day. As I grow older, I realize more and more how he shaped my life and my outlook so much by example. He was a quiet and brilliant man who taught me that a man is measured by his commitment to core principles. He never demanded anything or lectured his children. His only expectation was that we would pass along the Turley name to our children in as good as shape as he gave it to us. He was the most honorable man who I have ever known. It was not a labor for him to be principled. It came naturally to him. He became my ideal as a man and ultimately best friend.
We are shaped by our parents in a myriad of ways, even if we might have fought that influence at teenagers. Indeed, many of those who we read about on this blog came from families which lacked such positive influences at the critical stages of their lives. For those of us fortunate enough to have had loving fathers, this day reminds us of how truly fortunate we were.
Here is my favorite picture of my Dad as a young man, not long after returning from World War II.
