Father’s Day
Throughout my professional and personal life, people have described me as charismatic, lighthearted, fun to be around, dependable, compassionate, and hardworking. I’ve always appreciated that feedback. As I reflect on Father’s Day, I find myself thinking about where many of those traits came from.
I stole them from my Uncle Greg.
He taught me a family value: work hard, play hard. The first part means taking pride in your work, keeping your commitments, and doing things the right way. The second part means enjoying the rewards of that hard work without guilt—making memories with the people you care about.
Greg brings energy to every gathering. His charisma, jokes, and infectious laugh make every event more memorable. People are naturally drawn to him. He has a gift for lifting others up, making people feel welcome, and helping them through difficult times.
He also taught me that friends are the family you choose. He has maintained friendships he made years before I was born, and those relationships have created opportunities, support systems, and lifelong connections that have impacted multiple generations of our families.
He never hesitates to help family or friends. Moving, hauling, yard work, home projects—it doesn’t matter. When a severe storm hit his property and trees came down everywhere, I showed up with a few friends to help clean up. When we arrived, Greg already had a crew of his own friends there with chainsaws in hand, working away. I’ll never forget it. The respect and loyalty he gives to others always come back to him.
He is the heart of our family. He has kept our family cabin standing for decades. At “Lanning’s Landing,” there is always a place to sleep, a boat ride waiting, and usually some undercooked (or overcooked) beef on the grill. Most importantly, it has become the place where generations of our family stay connected. Five generations have built memories there because Greg keeps the door open.
Most importantly, he stepped into a father role in my life. He opened his home and family to me. When I was growing up and lived hours away, I spent many spring, summer, and winter breaks with him—sometimes for more than a month at a time. Those weren’t just visits; they were some of the experiences that helped shape who I am.
The older I get, the more I realize how much of myself comes from him. He is the first person I call when I have a problem. His approval still means more to me than almost anyone else’s. The best parts of me were learned by watching him.
Happy Father’s Day, Uncle Greg
