Today i attended a funeral for Billy "The Bull" Wright. I know that name means very little to all of you, but I wanted to pay tribute to a Plano local who has cut 5 generations of hair for the men in my family. Bull was a great guy, he never let a day go by without telling his wife he loved her. He dedicated his life to his family and friends and is very much how I picture myself when I'm older.
He was often seen riding around his neighborhood in a gold cart, tugging on a whiskey bottle and just having fun being himself with his neighbors and friends. Bull has a daughter my age who spoke at his funeral and although a little morbid and far premature, it got me to thinking of my Dad just two seats over.
My Dad and I have had our differences over the years, and we still do about a lot of things, but I have to commend Candace for her ability to stand and give a eulogy for her father. While Bull's loss will affect a great number of people and he touched many hearts, I know that it will not interrupt my day to day routine. I'll carry on and while I might think of him as I pass the shop, I won't have all of the memories to ponder as his family does. I am faced with the reality that my Dad and Bull were close to the same age.
For those of you who know me and especially those of you who know my Dad, him and I never really express our feelings towards one another, infact the two of us are terrible with words when it comes to that type of unconditional love that only a father and son have. We usually have to write something to each other and it tends to stick around for a long time. I still have a letter my Dad wrote me 15 years ago that is one of my prized possesions. I don't pull it out and show it off, it's something for me and him. I look back over some of the things that we have done together and all of the good times and it hits me like a ton of bricks that I will one day be exactly where Candace was today.....
...lost, lonely, and a part of myself feeling empty and alone.
I pray that I will have the strength she had and be able to delivery a proper sentiment to relay the love I have for my Dad, my supporter, and my friend.
Although i have made some stupid decisions in the past, my Dad has always stood behind me if I thought I was right and given me opportunities to fall flat on my face, and pick me up, dust me off and send me back on my way.
I'm sorry this is a little sappy for some of you that read, I just needed to get a little out, it's been haunting me since Dad and I shook hands and parted earlier. I love you Dad, and thank you for being my father.
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