Say what you need to say.

I wrote this back in 2010 after Clint's death and saved it for a time I would give to Clint's daughters. I thought I would put it down now so that not only they know but all will know of the man.

I don't want you to think your father failed you by leaving. It would have been terrible to see him weak and sick anymore because that was not him. He was the strongest man I knew. I used to think he was a superman and he was and is. He will always be your dad and he will never stop loving you. Sometimes through pain and hardship we become the people we need to become. Your father helped me to become the person I needed to become. 

It is because of him that I have that brotherhood loyalty and commitment in my heart. He taught me what it means to be a true friend. To give all you can even when you don't get anything in return. Your father was my best friend. As long as I can remember I have been friends with him.  He used to always introduce me to people as his cousin. I wasn't related to him but we were so close we thought we were related. I always knew I could count on your dad to be there for me. He disapproved of most everyone I dated except Rachel. He was always there when I had a problem with women, life, etc... When I was in junior high and high school I had dyed my hair and did everything I could to fit in with the school crowd. Your dad used to tell me stop being someone your not. Just be yourself. He was always there when I was trying to find myself. He was always himself and never tried to be anything but the great man known as your father. He was true to himself. 

Your dad could always tell when I was lying to him. Over the years we got pretty good at reading each other thoughts. Your father liked to have fun and was crazy at times but when things needed to be serious he was always at attention. Later in my life after he married your mother and had Callie , I really messed up my life and almost lost everything including my beautiful wife Rachel. Your mom and dad were there for me to help pick up the pieces and not judge me. They made sure I was taken care of on the weekends and always invited me up. Even though I was the 3rd wheel, I didn't mind and I was grateful to have such friends. I learned a great lesson at this time in my life about the true value of friendship, loyalty, commitment, and brotherhood. He wrote in my bible the quote, 'Bros 4 life' near the scripture  "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". It took me years to understand this type of love but your father always had it in him.  He was blessed with it. 

When your father first got sick in the hospital, I stayed with him the first night. I remember your father pleading with the doctors to tell him he would make it through the sickness and have a long life with his wife and kids. That night he expressed to me how much he loved your mother and you two little sweethearts. He cried as he shared the very special bond he has with your mom and you two. Even death cannot take away that bond. He fought so hard to stay here. His fighting was for you and your mom. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. This is one of those stories. Your father will never leave you. He will see you both grow through his spiritual eyes. As you remember him his strengths will become yours. Your father always said "life is about creating memories". Go make some great memories in life that he will always smile about.