My Daddy

Yes you read it correctly--I'm almost 30 years old, but I still refer to the first wonderful man in my life as "Daddy". We all took a whirlwind trip to Atlanta this week to honor this special man and his retirement from United Parcel Service. He has worked there for 34 years!! Almost unheard of anymore. He started WAY BACK when he was in college helping sort packages, worked his way up to driving a big brown truck, into management and even helped start some of their newest "side business stuff" (don't really know what to call them--they are companies within the company--you might could call them divisions, but I dunno). Anyway, the point is he has been very successful. I've always known that, but to hear the 20+ men that gathered to honor him at lunch yesterday say so was an awesome experience. Some had known him for many years, some only a few. Some of his biggest friends weren't even there for one reason or the other--it didn't seem to matter. My daddy was showered with much deserved praise of all his many accomplishments. The running theme (besides making fun of some of his 'country ways') was faith and family. Almost every single man spoke of how much they knew those two things meant to Mike Mack--They said to know him was to know about his faith and his family. Some of those men had met us (the family) maybe once or twice, but they felt like they knew us b/c Daddy told them about us all the time. They talked of his faith--which lead to talk of his integrity--and how they knew of his love for God. One man even went so far as thinking of 'The Good Shepherd' when he thought of my dad. It was so amazing to hear these men thank my dad for all his help with their own careers. A lot of 'you made me what I am today' kinda stuff. They recounted funny stories and good times they had with my dad. They told him how he was always on the 'short list' of people they knew would get the job done and most importantly get it done right. His current boss spoke of Dad's hard work and integrity--that meant a lot b/c it was no secret to many at the table that they did not always get along very well. My dad's presence will be missed at UPS--we knew that, but it was nice to hear others express the same.

They presented Daddy with a nice glass remembrance, if you will, of his 34 years of service. A few cards of well wishes and a BIG gift card to the PGA store in Atlanta. He already spent it before leaving town and I believe you will see some golf memorabilia in their new basement.

Now if you do not know my father very well let me paint a mental picture. He is a big man, proud to be from Texas and from the South. I also describe him as the most executive redneck you'll ever meet:) He can look like a CIA agent walking through the crowd with his suit and sunglasses--a very don't want to mess with me persona, but in his jeans and cowboy hat he looks like any good ol' country boy!! He can look (and act) very tough, but at the heart he is a big teddy bear. That big teddy bear was brought to tears several times yesterday. I may not have cried then, but the thoughts of the nice things have brought tears to my eyes today.

I love you daddy...you have always been a success in my eyes, but yesterday many others expressed it too. Cheers to you for many years of faithful service to God, family, friends and work. The official 9-5 (anyone that knows how hard you worked knows those hours are a joke) job may be over, but the fun is just beginning. We can't wait to make tons of fun memories with you and Mom. Living so close together will provide a lot of time together and your grandkids are going to love it--be totally spoiled, but love it!!