Monday, August 22, 2016
The Measure of a Man
What actually defines a person?
Is it your age, your profession, your interests?
Or is it the very intense, personal way you live your life and treat those around you?
This man had the strength of character others admired.
Whether pushing a job for the IBEW or sharing a story with friends in off hours,
there always was respect among his peers and acquaintances that takes a lifetime to build.
And like ripples in the water, he seemed to know everyone.
He knew your name, he knew if you needed something and then he knew how best to help.
Nothing really daunted him.
You don’t have plans for a barn – he’d drawn them.
You need suggestions for landscaping, hardscaping, building or digging –
he was the guy not only with the answers, but the hands that joined yours.
Friends could never ask too much.
He knew you would do the same.
But what he leaves behind right now is family.
Today, we – his family - pay an enormous tribute to him.
Love begets love.
Generosity of heart pays itself back tenfold.
For whatever he did for his friends, family knew even fewer bounds.
He was the patriarch.
It was all about protection, providing, mentoring and guiding.
He took simple moments and created celebrations.
He took raw lumber and nails and built homes we will treasure for each of our lifetimes.
His spirit will always walk with us through the trees…
A love of nature instilled by him.
Time he gave with unrelenting abundance….
It was time we just didn’t have enough of.
But if the extent of our love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.
God, Our Father,
knows the secrets of his heart, the quiet sacrifices made, the integrity with which he lead his life.
The Measure of this Man,
our Husband, Father and Grandfather
will be what sustains us until we can hold him again.
Paul Sovereign January 6, 1935 - August 18, 2016
