A Legacy That Still Guides Me


Recently, I’ve been reflecting on one of the greatest gifts my dad ever gave me – a simple phrase he repeated often:

“You Have The Opportunity.”

He didn’t use it as a slogan. He lived it as a truth.

My dad believed that no matter the circumstance, we always have a choice – in our attitude, our effort, our response, and our impact. He taught his ten children, our spouses, his grandchildren, and now great‑grandchildren that opportunity isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you notice and something you create.

Even though he passed away in 2005, his wisdom still shapes my days. His positivity wasn’t wishful thinking; it was intentional. He believed in determination, perseverance, and the quiet strength of showing up with purpose.

And the older I get, the more I see how right he was.

Opportunity shows up in the small, ordinary moments:

• The opportunity to pause instead of react
• The opportunity to listen instead of defend
• The opportunity to encourage instead of criticize
• The opportunity to start again, even if yesterday fell short
• The opportunity to be grateful for something simple and real


His words have become a compass for our entire family — a legacy of wisdom that continues to ripple outward.

This week, I’m choosing to honor him by asking myself a question he never had to say out loud:

What opportunity is already in front of me that I haven’t recognized yet?

Maybe that’s a question worth carrying with you too.
 
Have a great week!

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