by Cynthia Germain
Last week, our Treasurer, Bill, shared a thoughtful reflection about his father and the influence he had on his life. I am thankful that Bill was willing to share his personal memories with our readers.
His reflection reminded me that while Father’s Day is often celebrated in a single day, the influence of a father is experienced over a lifetime. This was my first Father’s Day since my father’s passing last August. The loss being relatively new brings more emotion than perspective. Bill’s words made me realize how often I think of him and his influence on me.
Almost daily, I find myself remembering something he taught me, something he showed me how to do, or a lesson he passed along without ever intending it to be a lesson. Sometimes it is something practical. Sometimes it is the way he approached a challenge. Sometimes it is simply a memory that appears out of nowhere.
Those moments also remind me that the people who leave their mark on our lives rarely stop influencing us. Their impact continues long after the conversation ends, long after we leave home, and long after they are gone.
While Father’s Day naturally focuses our attention on fathers, it also made me think about the many people who help shape our lives. Parents and grandparents, certainly, but also teachers, coaches, neighbors, coworkers, mentors, volunteers, and friends. Many of the values we carry throughout life were formed by people who may never have realized the influence they had.
As we grow older, we often gain a greater appreciation for those influences, especially those that don’t not require a title or a special role. It happens through conversations, acts of kindness, shared experiences, and simply being present. It happens when a volunteer helps a neighbor through SAIL. It happens when community members step forward to share their knowledge through M². It happens every day throughout our community in ways both big and small.
Perhaps that is one of the gifts of aging. We begin to understand that our influence is not measured by accomplishments alone. It is measured by the lives we touch, the lessons we share, and the example we set.
Following this particular Father’s Day, I find myself being very grateful for the influence my father continues to have on my life. I am equally grateful for the many people who have left their mark on my life over the years.
This week, take a moment to think about someone who helped shape yours. If you can, thank them. If they are no longer here, share a story about them. Pass along a lesson they taught you. And remember that someone may be learning from you as well.
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