Day 30- "My hero can also be my friend"

This next friend was a pretty amazing person in my eyes.  Growing up I wanted to be just like this friend.  He would watch body building competitions and go to the gym, so I wanted to grow up and be a body builder.  He ran for miles, so I wanted to run.  He coached, so I wanted to coach.  He taught, so I wanted to teach.  Anything he did, I pretty much wanted to do.  He was just so great at everything!  I followed him everywhere!  I personally enjoyed it when I was invited to go running with him.  I remember when I was 3 he let me run an entire mile with him!  I was so happy!  I remember getting back from that run and my mom had made muffins for us!  I was very happy. 

As I got older I grew closer to my mom but still was fond of this friend.  I looked up to him every day and thought he was just the most amazing person in all the world.  I told him that one day I was going to write a book about him and he told me not to bother because there was nothing worth writing about.  Yet, I valued that humbleness about him.  He never became snobby or a know it all about things.  Everyone looked up to him and valued what he did and what he taught.  He was mentor for many and a shoulder to lean on for many more. 

When I went away to the east coast for school and work, we communicated less and less but still had great laughs when we did talk.  I miss his laugh.  He left too soon from this world.  It is bittersweet. 

Not only is he my hero, but he is a hero to many.  As one former wrestler put it, " He didn't have to create a legacy… he was one." 

He was one of my best friends and I miss him every day!  Here's to you Dad!  (Ron Fuhrman)