Steady.

Dad,

It is a great honor and joy to pause to celebrate you - for all your years of work as a community physician, and so much more.

Can you really be retiring? I doubt it... but I love that you are changing gears, and reflecting about where you'd like to direct all of your magnetic, electric, solar, boundless (and definitely sustainable) energy. Zow! Wow! Wherever you focus your energy will be forever changed for the better.

You have been such a constant, steady, thoughtful presence and influence in my life, and have taught me about living life fully, richly, and well. Through your passion for truth - your silliness and storytelling - your tenacity (whew!) - your love for words, music, nature - your kindness - your do-good-job attitude - your tenderness for those less fortunate - your ability to rise up through hardship - your willingness to try new things - your humility - your work ethic - and most of all, through your absolutely unwavering commitment to and love for our family.

When I was growing up, you worked long hours, deep into the night, and often came home wiped out, totally exhausted from a day of intense patient care. In spite of this, you came through the door cheering and with open arms for your kids, flopping on the floor to play and talk, reading books with us, listening to us, laughing and loving. You were and ARE the most present, energetic, loving daddy.

Seeing Will with his granddaddy is one of the greatest joys of my entire life - I know he will be a stronger, more thoughtful young man because of your love and presence. He may also learn some bad humor from you; please wait until we have gotten him off to college before exposing him to your Blackley 'family' jokes.

I am so proud to be your daughter, my daddy. Congratulations on many jobs well done... and now, onward to more!

I love you, so much, stacks and boxes...

Molly