My Dad is My Hero, A Tribute To Greg Darling In The Words Of An 8 Year Old.

This essay was written by my friends 8 year old son. It speaks volumes about the man.

--------------------------------------

My Dad is My Hero

By Connor Darling

My Dad is my Hero because he is battling cancer and is brave and strong. He is very loving. My Daddy is going to Heaven to live with God. I am very sad because I won’t be able to see him for the rest of my life. We used to go fishing but we can’t go fishing now because he is dying.

My Daddy taught me many things. He taught me how to get the hook out of the fish’s mouth. He used to call himself “The Manner Police” because he was always teaching me to use good manners. He taught me moves for basketball, soccer and lacrosse and came to all my games. He taught me to be a good sport, even when I lost, and to congratulate the winner. He worked a lot with my classes and the children in my school.

My Daddy is patriotic and very proud to be an American. He taught me about our country, and songs about the United States and how to be a good citizen. Dad talked to everyone and taught me to try and brighten other people’s days by making them smile and laugh. He taught me to be gentler with my baby brother. He taught me to be generous, brave, kind and good to all people, and to be a gentleman.

When my Mommy told me Daddy was going to Heaven,

I said, “Even if a miracle happens?” She said yes. But I’m still praying for a miracle to make Daddy better. Daddy told me his spirit and heart will stay with us forever and he was okay with dying. He said he would be watching me from Heaven every day; he would watch all my games from Heaven, and that I could talk to him anytime I wanted. He said I am the man of our family now and should take care of Mommy. He said he was so proud of me and he loved me.

I said Goodbye to my Daddy today, and it made me cry inside. It was the hardest thing I ever did. I know I will see him in Heaven again some day, but I told my Mommy I don’t know how we will live without my Dad. She just hugged me and said “I don’t know either, Connor. We’ll just have to try”.

I cant type right now.. many tears in my eyes..wow..

He must have been a real special dad to impart that kind of wisdom in an 8 year old..................

Im with you Eck.............cant see for the tears.....

Thanks for posting that Todd.

...

As tear-jerking as that letter is, it also confirms that Greg's legacy will live on and move forward through Connor, and that, my friends, puts a smile on my face...

Terry

Must have been a very good Man, Sounds as though he gave his Son a great start in life. Thanks for reminding me of whats important. RIP Greg. Craig

What a time to read this, my mother is gonna undergo a 6 hour cancer surgery tomorrow. Gives ya something extra to think about.

My prayers are with you for your mom tomorrow, Lyle.

Hope your Mom does great, that letter was something.

Todd...please forward this to Connor!

Connor,

I believe and I am sure that many others do as well, that your Daddy was a very special man. It is just that now God needs him up in Heaven to help Him. You should be very proud to have had a Daddy who was like yours, who loved you and the rest of your family so much, and who helped you to become the young man you are, and no doubt the good man you will become in a few more years. All of us will pray for you and for your Daddy, but he has no worries now, as God will take good care of him once he gets to heaven. Now is the time for you to show your Daddy that he taught you well, and BE the man of the family. You will have to be a big help to your Mom and your younger brother, to show them and someday your own children how much you learned from the years your Daddy was with you.

All of us will miss him even if we didn't meet him in person, because he has shown us through you what a good man he was for all of those around him, whether family or not. Our earth needs more men like him, so you be sure to grow up to be just like your Daddy was all of his life.

God bless and keep all of you.

Bill Darling "Poledar":bighug:

Ditto DragonRider

What a guy, both of them

Could someone send this message ont Connor's mom....

My heart goes out to you. Please contact me any time day or night if you want to talk.

I know your pain.

I got my 13 year old Randy into art therapy group through the hospice program this last January. It seems to be helping him. There are a number of younger children there. He is the oldest in the group. I am sure they some something like that and you may have already heard about it.

God bless our children without their daddies.

Sherry Patterson (wife of Tom E.)

209-810-0998

Thank you for sharing this letter with us. It was such a wonderful tribute to Conner's Father. I will pray for him and his family.

This is also a reminder to everyone of the little things that you do each day with your children, and how important it is to be thankful for every moment you get to spend with you family.

It is the little things we do that seem to remain in their memories. God bless him.

Peggy

Hi Peggy,

The letter from that young man was so inspirational, that his Dad must have been pretty special to bring up a boy like that in so few years. Obviously, they communicated well and were very close in many ways. If all families could be like that, this would be a better country in so many ways.

I hope that your weather is giving you a break and that the snow will melt off and let you folks get back on the road again, like US Southerners have been all winter long!!!!

Take care, be well. Hope we may meet one of these old days!

God bless and keep you and yours safe!

Bill...