A Gift Returned (The Friday Ficks S6 E25)

My father typed his Last Will and Testament on his beloved Royal typewriter. Never one for dry or ordinary, he drafted it as a short story.

He wrote that "however necessary, a Will is prepared with reluctance. It certainly is not the brightest thing to put in shape." So he decided to fill it with "a collection of thoughts."

What struck me wasn't what he left behind. It was what he valued.

He dismissed any monetary worth and instead celebrated his "parental partnership in three magnificent children," expressing confidence that my sister, brother, and I would become “worthwhile, productive citizens,” with unwavering faith that we would “lead happy, rewarding lives."

He reflected on his wedding day as "the happiest day of my life."

My father understood something many people miss.

Your true legacy is not what you accumulate. It's what you cultivate.

It's the people you love, encourage, teach, and believe in.

When I write, I often feel my father's presence. I've told my siblings that although I type on a laptop and not a Royal typewriter, I still feel Dad's "Royal vibe" flowing through my fingertips.

I felt it recently while contributing a chapter to “The Wisdom Collection,” a book filled with stories designed to transform how we live, connect, and lead.

As I wrote, I found myself thinking about those words my father typed years ago. His confidence in his children became both a quiet challenge to live up to and a reminder that a parent's belief can echo long after they're gone.

This Father's Day, my contribution to “The Wisdom Collection” is a gift to my father - years later.

And it feels like more than just a published chapter.

It feels like a gift returned.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl