Never Too Late

Is there a person you should’ve thanked, but never had the chance? Is there someone who helped you along the way without even realizing it? Here’s your chance to express your belated gratitude.

(Participating in NaBloPoMo? Head to BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo Central for more!)

Sometimes the impact a person has on one’s life isn’t completely realized until years later. Such was the case for me.

I had met him just after I left the comfort of mom and dad’s home to explore the big world outside their tiny farm town. His knowledge and precision in the world of construction filled me with awe and respect for him.

Under his wing I learned a great many things about building. From simple repairs to building a staircase, this man and his patients of a saint fine tuned the skills I would use throughout my life to provide for my family.

What I did not realize until many years later was the things he had instilled in me that had absolutely no bearing on my work life.

A gentle and kind man who’s lessons of life seeped into my brain quietly as I grappled with the challenges of building he set before me.

Those lessons helped shape the ways in which I would eventually handle crisis with my children, interacted with the world around me, and even helped shaped the way in which I love Mama.

They were lessons that crept in from observation of him with his own family, and I did not even realize the impact they would have on my future self.

One day out of the blue many years after his tutelage, the reality of his wisdom thumped my skull with earth shattering clarity.

To my mentor, yet another huge thanks is due.

It was you sir I have to thank for not only the careful and precise building techniques, but also for the honest and sincere way you lived life. I wanted what you had, and finally after many years I realize I have it.

You were right yet again, it is a satisfying life with a clean conscience and a deep pride in my family. While I most certainly know I have no hope of ever repaying this debt of gratitude to you personally, I will follow your footprints and do just what you did for me.

One day, I will cast my arm around a young buck in need of guidance and do my best to teach him not only the world of construction, but also quietly and behind the scenes I will impart those lessons of life that I now understand I have you to thank for.

Pay it forward, that’s what he would do. And so that is what I shall do.