My Dad

If I got a quarter for every time someone told me my dad has changed their life I would be rich.  I have had many people tell me he should write a book.  And he should.  But I’m pretty sure that will never happen.  He’s old school.  As in, most of his ‘list’ is in his head.  Or maybe written on a chunk of 2x4 in his truck.  The amount of things he has to remember because he doesn’t use a device for notes is mind blowing.  

My dad’s name is Ed.  He immigrated from Paraguay in South America at the age of 15.  He had a grade 3 education from a school in the bush in a third world country in a dialect of German that was not even a written language.  He was bullied for being an immigrant.  He worked for less than $1 an hour and I met his first boss a number of years back who told me he had never met a man like my dad in his life.  He did the work of 10 men.  He lifted hay bales by himself and threw them to the top of a big truck. 

My dad would go on to work in the world of Ready Mix Concrete.  He was identified as a great employee and was offered a management position with no education and barely speaking the language.  They saw then what many would see later.  A businessman not to be reckoned with.  His bosses were so threatened by him that they sabotaged his first attempt at running his own business.  At the age of 40 he risked it all and ventured out on his own with my Uncle, his wonderful partner.  Within less than 10 years they had 60% of the market share for residential housing for Winnipeg Manitoba population 1M at the time.  They sold to an international company and after his 5 year non compete clause he built again and sold again to another massive international company.  Beyond this he has built countless companies.

And much beyond the companies he has built and been the boss to hundreds of employees.  I would venture to say almost every one of those employees would say Ed was the best boss they ever had.  Yes he is tough.  Real tough.  But a great teacher and an even greater proponent of giving someone a chance.  Ed believes in people.  100% and more.  

And people believe in him.  And turn to him for advice on any number of topics.  And let’s not forget how funny he is.  His quick wit has me in stitches many times.  All my life my friends wanted to hang around my parents. They have always been a blast to be around.  And most generous.  When you enter his home he will cook you a great big steak and offer you any drink of your choice.  

I would venture to say his greatest claim to fame is helping people.  Even when it didn’t make sense.  Though he is a tough businessman, Ed has always done business with his heart.  And for that he has paid dearly.  To this day there is a laundry list of folks who owe him money to the tune of millions.  He trusted in these people.  And gave them his own blood sweat equity.  This has been one of the hardest pills in his life to swallow.  Learning that his trust was often put in the hands of those who did not deserve it.  And as a daughter this has been gut wrenching to watch.  I pray these people make it right with him.

My dad has a midas touch.  Much of what he touches turns to gold.  He just knows how to work hard and create success.  I wish he understood the value that he has brought in many ways to so many many people.  

Life does not seem fair.  Though untold number of people profess how much he has changed their lives, still he has been left holding the bag for so many.  I know this keeps him up at night but  i must believe that life comes full circle and for all the happy tears he has afforded people that this brings him some measure of fulfillment.

The biggest lesson my dad leaves is this.  My entire life growing up when he prayed he said this.  ‘God we thank you for this great country we live in’. he has given thanks for our country every time he prayed my entire life.  He says he could never have imagined a life like they have now.  From flat out poverty to the point of owning no shoes to living in paradise.  

May he be granted the generosity that he has shown to others.  In health and prosperity.  And may he be granted peace knowing that his life mattered a whole lot to a whole lot of people.