A Letter From My Dad
When I set up WhiteBinder a year and a half ago, I had a couple of items in mind that I wanted to make absolutely sure got posted there. One of those items I finally posted this weekend. It’s a letter from my dad that he wrote to me when I was on my mission. Posting this letter was really important to me because of the experiences my dad writes about in the letter and because I knew that this was one of the few things in my collection of articles, spiritual thoughts, etc. that really couldn’t be found anywhere else.
Hopefully, you’ll see why it took me so long to get the story posted. I had to edit my dad’s letter to remove the personal parts that weren’t relevant to the story and I had to transcribe a number of follow up letters between my dad and others that he sent me which continue the story he starts in the letter.
My dad wrote me the letter when he was an officer in the Air Force and stationed on Guam as the Chief of Safety for the Air Force’s Pacific region. There had been an accident involving an Air Force plane in New Delhi, India and my dad led a team investigating the accident. My dad’s story starts after their investigation is over and they’re given a tour of the Taj Mahal and other sites in the city of Agra. I don’t want to say any more because I really want you to go and read the letter yourself and come back and tell me what you think.
I’m very proud of my dad. He’s the most compassionate person I know. As a lot of you know, after he retired from the Air Force, he went back to school and earned a Masters and a Doctorate in Audiology. Right now, my dad is spending his Thanksgiving in the same place he’s spent it for the last several years. He’s in Ghana as part of a humanitarian aid group he organized shortly after he became an Audiologist. He’s there with other medical professionals and volunteers (26 this year, a record) operating a free clinic and distributing free medical supplies.
I am grateful for the example my dad has always been of love and sacrifice. He loves everyone he meets, and everyone he meets loves him. I hope by sharing his letter to me, other people will have a chance to “meet” my dad and feel that love, too.
I remember when Dad came home from India and he told us the story of this boy. Dad really is a great example of love and sacrifice.
Yes, I remember all this too. But, what I don’t know is the end of the story. Did we ever hear anything past the last check to the society after they sent the little fellow’s picture? I’m sure glad you put all this out on the internet for a permanent record. Thanks.
I have often wondered what happened to this boy after all of that. Great post Rob, thanks for reminding me, I remember listening to the whole story from Dad when he was in the middle of all of it, it’s so fascinating!
Dad has really set an incredible example for mercy too. He feels so strongly about it.
That is the most inspiring story. I will always remember it. Thanks for sharing.
I have really enjoyed working at the Clinic with Pappy and Mammy. They are so great and so loved by EVERYONE. Lots of patients have come in and mentioned seeing Pappy on T.V. He deserves the recognition whether he wants it or not. He is giving back. I really wish that someday Scott and I can go to Ghana and help.
what happened to the little boy??!! I need to know!!! What a great Example about how one person matters.