In the last week I learned (via my niece Caitlan) that one of Dad's favorite songs was "The Wind Beneath My Wings". I was surprised - I didn't know that Dad had any interest in popular music. I'd heard of this song but hadn't ever really listened to it so I listened to several different versions in the past week.

I have no idea which of the many renditions of this song he preferred. And I still don't know why he liked it so much. But one thing I do know, I'm pretty sure that he never put himself at the center of the lyrics to this song. But I sure did - here are the lines that connected me straight to Dad:

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and ev'rything I would like to be?

Dad really is my hero - and the model for how I hope to live my life.

His nickname was Sugar and he really was the sweetest man I've ever known. He did not gossip - he only had good things to say about everybody. Or else he would say nothing. He epitomized the saying - if you don't have something good to say, don't say anything.

That was his natural instinct. That was one of the many lessons he taught - without ever saying things explicitly.

A few years ago there was a popular phrase in use - the shorthand version was "WWJD" which stood for What Would Jesus Do? The idea was that whenever you were faced with making a choice or decision you should ask yourself this question.

I always had a hard time with that concept - it seemed way out of reach and perhaps presumptious to put myself in those Divine shoes. So I have a simpler and less intimidating guide. I ask myself "what would Sugar do?" - WWSD.

If I am faced with making a choice or decision - especially if it has to do with interacting with people - and aren't those the most important decisions - I ask myself - What would Sugar do? I don't think you can go wrong if you just attune yourself to Dad's approach to people and life.

I'll give you a trivial example of how to use this tool. I've pretty much run out of things to say so - "Dad, what would you do?"

I'm pretty sure his answer would be - "Turn this show over to Kate!"

So here's Kate.