Dedicated to my Father - Robert Markland

My parents raised 7 kids in a 1600 square foot house with one bathroom. At one-time 5 of us slept in one room. That’s where bunkbeds came in handy. My Father, who was an absolutely great man, worked 40 consecutive years without missing a day of work. For many years he worked 3 jobs. I don’t know how he did it. When the car was broken down, he “thumbed” a ride to work. I remember one day he said to me that the reason he went to work every day would be because it wasn’t fair to the others who would have to do his job when he was out. Somehow, he also managed to make all my sporting events. There aren’t many like him today.

My Dad was a very humble and quiet man who led by example. I tell the story of how one day he rescued a disabled man by pulling him out of a burning house, then came home and didn’t tell my mother. The first time she heard of it was when she read about it in the newspaper the next day.

As I write this story, I can only think about how the people I had to deal with in this business transaction were the exact opposite of my Dad. He was honest. He worked hard. He didn’t cheat or steal. He was loyal and trustworthy. A true man of his word. There were no shortcuts. He lived by “right and wrong”. He didn’t have much, but from where I sit, he had it all. I am sure he had many sleepless nights, worrying about money or us kids. He probably had many bad days too, but didn’t show it. I remember his laugh, and never saw him cry. 

He is my strength as I go through this nightmare. I am sure he had to deal with a lot of adversity, but he plowed through it. I am trying to plow through it too. I am not sure I have his strength. I don’t know how he did it. I am convinced that if you are OK with the man in the mirror, and how he/she leads his/her life, your life can be filled with joy. My Dad may have had good days and bad days. But I am pretty sure, underneath, he was filled with joy.