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Hey Dad,

Maybe you didn't hear about it, but I was killed this past week. I was on my way to speak in Los Angeles when American Airlines flight 2405 went down somewhere over the Rocky Mountains.

There was a nice little writeup in the local paper. A short paragraph listed my accomplishments, funeral arrangements, a reminder to purchase your You 'da Dad daily calendars in time for Christmas (gotta like that), and then closed with: "Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife Debbie, and his children Ben, Sam, Katherine, Ike, Abe, and Maggie Rose. They were expecting their seventh child in April."

I know you're not suppose to be sad in heaven, but I feel a lump in my throat and pit in my stomach because I left so much unsaid and undone. All the promises I made to my family are never going to happen now, and all the little things I rushed through or took for granted, haunt me.

I promised Ike and Abe that I'd sleep in their room with them sometime … but now it's too late. I wish so badly that I hadn't rushed through those bedtime rituals with the little boys. I was always in a hurry to get it over with so I could have some time to myself.

Ben and Sam are becoming young men. They need my direction and guidance to prepare them for the time when they will be fathers themselves. I knew I should have spent more time with them, but I never felt like I had the time. "Not tonight boys … maybe tomorrow night," I said too many times.

Now there aren't any tomorrow nights.

Oh, and my sweet girls. I've been a little grouchy with Katherine and Maggie lately. I've brushed off their needs for extra daddy time. Man, I wish I could hug them tight and tell them I'm sorry and that I love them … but it's too late because I'm dead.

The good news is … I didn't really die this week (you probably guessed that already). I just imagined that I did as I got bumped about in a little airplane over St. Louis on Tuesday. Actually, it was good for me to look at my life from the other side. It's a good idea for you too, Dad. It helps us focus on what matters and what doesn't. So why don't you spend a few minutes tonight, on the way home, or right now … and imagine you're dead. Then, make the most of your "living" time.

Rest in Peace.

You 'da Dad!

© Copyright 2005 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

PS — Order your You 'da Dad daily calendar(s) TODAY in order to be sure they arrive in time for Christmas. Go to http://familymanweb.com/dailycalendar.htm

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