this is a picture of me when i was two years old. from the very beginning, i’ve been trying to fill my dad’s boots. you can see clearly that i did not meet with much success at this stage in life. i loved to walk around in his boots, even though they came up to my waist. what’s even cooler about the whole thing is that my dad was proud of me for simply being willing to try. not to mention his sweet shades and those killer chops.

it’s been some time since i first tried to fill his boots, but the tradition continues. for a while, i had a pair of his ostrich skin boots. they were awesome. and so soft. living in Texas, i was undoubtedly the toughest ranch hand that ever did live in a small suburban house, drive a ford taurus, and attend graduate school. yuppers, i was the definition of Texas. but i was still not able to fill the boots.

now that even more time has passed, my appreciation for his influence on my life has grown. it’s not the purpose of this little diddy to line up my accolades. quite the opposite. i wish to commend my dad for 60 years of boot-stompin’ accomplishments. tomorrow is his birthday, and i wish i were with him to bake him a German chocolate cake with that nasty "cake onion" frosting. man, how he loves that stuff!

two moments when i truly felt like we stood side by side occurred at the end of my two most recent adventures in higher education. the first was my wedding, right after i finished up my undergrad at K-State. this is one my favorite pictures in the whole world. i knew he was so happy for me, and i was so happy to have him stand by my side.

the second was when i graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with my Th.M. this was by far one of the hardest things i have ever done, but it was decidedly the most worth it, too. i wouldn’t trade that experience for anything in the world. that being true, what an honor to have my dad join me in that joy.

now, as Director of Admissions for DTS, my appreciation for my dad’s influence on my professional life is deepening. i regularly consult him for advice and counsel. he just knows things. like a good dad always seems to know.

so for all the Lord has allowed me to accomplish, i am still only trying to fill my dad’s boots. granted, he’s got a few years on me (!), but this February 23, 2008, we celebrate a man who has given 60 years of boot-fillin’ footsteps to follow. i love you, Dad.

here’s to you, my Harley-ridin’, squirrel-shootin’, card-playin’, fun-lovin’, gift-givin’, cancer-survivin’ dad. cheers.