Since, it is Father's Day weekend, I would like to honor my late Father-in-law, J.R. "Dick" Woodworth. Most of us come from dysfunctional families. However, I am grateful that there are surrogate family members that come into our lives that help to fill in some of those gaps. My father-in-law and I had a very special and unique relationship. Of all of the family members, he was the one showed me the most unconditional love. I am very grateful for that. It did not matter how well I performed. He thought I was great all of the time. He was one of my biggest cheerleaders. He was such a faithful husband and truly loved his family. Even though, he was very successful in all of his ventures he was an amazing man. To me that matters more than how successful a person is in their businesses. How does he get along with his wife and children is usually what I wonder?
We were living in Portland, OR, his hometown, during the last few years of his life. I would take the MAX transit train downtown and I would usually give him a call and check up on him during these trips. He enjoyed hearing about the latest with us and really enjoyed these calls. One day on one of these occasions, I had an epiphany. I thought I had received such a tremendous gift from him that I decided to call him and thank him for a gift that he may not have realized he gave me. I realized that he had truly modeled and shown his son, the greatest attribute of being faithful in his marriage. My husband had that modeled to him and he has been a great and faithful husband to me. He also showed my husband the importance of getting flowers spontaneously and giving cards throughout the year. Even though I did not experience that firsthand growing up, I did later in my life with his life!
This attribute translated in my husband's life. His Father was faithful to his Mother and he saw how much he loved her. They celebrated 54 years of marriage together. What a treasure that was for me. He had demonstrated that in so many ways. I realized that my heart finally felt "safe" and that I owed that to him. I told him about that and thanked him for showing my husband the importance of being faithful to me. I am so glad I did, because just two weeks later he died in Boise, ID.
It is very important to thank those people around us that have touched our lives. Some may impact our lives more than others, nevertheless do not take it for granted that they know how you feel. You need to take the time and tell them out loud! You can do it in a phone call, letter, or an email.
Dick Woodworth served as the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for several years and then worked as the Environmental Officer for the Northwest under the U.S. Department of Interior. Since he had been a political leader in Idaho he was honored with a beautiful State funeral at St. Michaels Cathedral in Boise when he died. We received so many letters from all around the world with letters of sympathy and they wanted us to know how his life had impacted theirs in so many ways. They all had a common theme. Each one wanted us to know the great impact he had made in their lives. He recognized them, saw their gifts and talents and did whatever he could to help them on their journeys. He gave encouragement, support and opened doors for so many people. He was very selfless and really thought about others first. He had become a surrogate Father and encourager to so many young people that did not experience that growing up. I even remember one wildlife photographer that said because of Dick Woodworth, he opened the doors of opportunity that he probably would not have had without his intervention in his life.
He was also a Rotarian and also helped several athletes get their start in European sports and get an opportunity to play. They know they would not be in professional sports or have their jobs in various vocations had it not been for his intervention in their lives. He was one in a billion!
By the way, my husband, Dan, and I will be celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary on September 1st! Thank you Dick for being an Amazing Father that touched so many around the world, especially your kids in Boise, ID!
Happy Father's Day to all. Have a Colorful Day!!
© 2008 Irene Woodworth
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