The Give and Take in Pastores, Guatemala

One of the final lengthy conversations I had with #MyAwesomeDad…

was about the day he and #MyMom finally moved into the house I grew up in. It was the first of 16 new houses occupied on South 234^th Place in Des Moines. I was just six months old, and with two older sisters, our current two bedroom house next to Highline General Hospital wasn’t going to be our home of the future. 

Fast forward……60 years. 

Although my professional work had me tangentially involved in Guatemala relief efforts a dozen years back, I’d never placed my feet in this beautiful country…..until February 4^th 2022.

Being offered a spot on a mission build team to construct a pair of new homes (in under a week) with nearly a dozen other volunteers I’d never met seemed challenging and exciting. With the added benefit of being able to dedicate this build to #MyAwesomeDad and Max, a recent coworker lost in a tragic car accident, this became a mission of the heart for me, my friends, and my family.

Michael Chansler and his lovely wife Carol have organized this house building effort to Guatemala twenty times. I am Michael’s brother in law’s brother in law. His wife is the sister of my sister’s husband Art. He’s a brave man to assemble nearly a dozen willing souls that know one thing: They want to make the world a better place and building two houses for deserving families is the call they’ve answered. 

With a 70 pound duffle bag of #MyAwesomeDad’s favorite t-shirts procured by my sister Carol, a list of items suggested for the new families, and some Spanish children’s book I optimistically thought I’d read, my 5:45AM ride to Sea Tac had me nervously excited.

Using miles from our business credit card, I found myself in a section of a 737MAX I’m not used to. The actual meeting of our whole group was during a 2 hour stop in Houston. With just enough time for lunch, TEX-MEX was my ode to: When in Rome.

The makeup of our build team was a cast from my childhood. With two men and seven women, Michael and I had no problem establishing a quorum…….of the ladies! 

Our approach to La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) was between two volcanos and looked to be right in the middle of the city. After overcoming an issue with the customs agent who took exception to the fact that one of our duffle bags has 10K vitamin gummies for the school in Santa Maria de Jesus, I was pleased to meet our van driver Marvin. He happens to share a name with my beloved grandfather, the architect of several family values I follow, including making life better for others. 

The 7PM traffic in Guatemala City traffic added an hour onto our transit between today’s capitol city and Antigua, its colonial counterpart from days gone by. As a first time visitor to Guatemala, my curiosity was peaked. Trying to use my basic handle of Italian to Spanish was less productive than I predicted. What wasn’t confusing: passing Mc Donald’s, Wendy’s, KFC, and yes….Taco Bell!

Luis greeted our van at Podesta San Sabastian, our HQ for our week in Antigua. Well-spoken in English, I quickly realized he was to be the perfect host. Although he and Michael have known each other for a decade, Luis and his sidekick Hugo welcomed the rest of us with the same spirit. Decorated from small collections of wall hung miniature wood chairs, relics of the church, 16 century irons, vintage doors, it’s all tastefully tied together around a two story open air courtyard, complete with fountains and palm trees. 

As Luis passed out the room keys, I randomly referenced my favorite hockey player’s jersey number and my room number are connected. For the remainder of our time together, I was: #4 Bobby Orr. 

What few of us realized upon check-in was our proximity to nearly everything cool and important in this UNESCO World Heritage site, including Antigua’s beautiful Parque Central, and its main Cathedral. The reliable ATM, El Portal Café, and Clara, the world’s most effective seller of locally made souvenirs, each became a familiar destination within the beautiful center square. As the alarm buzzed each morning at 6:15, I got 30 solo minutes of life and coffee with Michael. I learned quickly that he is the living spirit of #MyMom. He’ll never admit it, but few have had more effect on Guatemalan families and especially young children. As a past board member and evangelist, his association to US based NGO, From Houses to Homes has built 1700 houses within an hour of Antigua over the past two decades.

I have joined this effort for a special purpose. When Michael affirmed we could dedicate one of the completed homes to #MyAwesomeDad and the other to Max, a fellow Starbucks Partner we lost in a tragic accident with his mother in October, this became a personal endeavor for me. Our plan: Build two houses in five days. But first, 48 hours of adventure.

Day One: Pile in a van, drive north for an hour. Half way there and between two volcanos, we pull over. Marvin want’s to demonstrate a phenomenon created by an optical illusion and magnetic forces. On the shoulder, we are clearly going downhill. He puts the van in neutral. We slowly start reversing. Certain things cannot be explained. This is one of them. 

Climb Volcano Pacaya trailing two horses with native guide(s) Diego and Monkey was our plan. Along the trail to 6500 feet, the lessons of how to survive are many. Monkey showed us a bamboo looking tree full of water. Several of us tasted it as well as several unknown fruits. The morning sun wasn’t the only conductor of heat for our hike. The closer we came to our 6500 foot summit, the warmer the temperature…….from the 8000 foot volcano across the lava valley! 

Photo on the left: Larry drinking from a tree. Photo on the right: Volcano Climb Group.

As we wandered the summit and tried to address our maxed out legs, Diego and Monkey created a beautiful, well needed lunch. The option was offered to climb into the facing valley to toast marshmallows in a volcanic vent. Our worn out crew realized a hike out of that valley was too much. 

When offered a short cut back down, the overwhelming answer was yes! Diego made the motion for skiing and explained we’d be descending the sheer side using our heels through fine, volcanic sand. Leaning way back with a first big jump sure enough our heels dug in and kept sliding. Every 500 feet we had to stop and empty our shoes. After a brief separation from the faster skiers in our group and a momentary encounter with a rifle clad guard of the cell towers, our destination appeared. 

One aspect of this adventure I didn’t realize (because I didn’t read the emails) is how much world cuisine is in Antigua. During our 10 days, we had truly fantastic meals including authentic: Indian, Italian, Vegetarian, French, Guatemalan, and Salvadorian. The most impressive part of these dinners was the price. Imagine feeding a party of 10+ a full dinner for $150, including gratuity. 

Photo on the left: Eating well in Guatemala. Photo on the right: Group in truck.

Time to Build. Riding in the back of an early 1970’s Datsun Pickup might fall under ‘dangerous’ when stateside. Of all our transportation options: Chicken Bus, Motorcycle, Walking, or Horse, the old pick up was best. Our destination of Pastores was just 30 minutes away. I figured I was otherwise safe the remaining 23 hours of each day. 

Navigating the steep 20 foot wide walking trail to the building site led to many questions. How did 750 cinder blocks, three yards of sand, three yards of gravel, 60 bags of concrete, 30 bags of mortar, 200 feet of rebar, and twenty sheets of corrugated metal get to the top of this pedestrian only path? One of the important commitments the families must make is to participate in the building process and yes, that includes getting the materials to the site any way possible. 

A House in Five Days. Although the process was explained prior, I found it hard to imagine we could make this happen on schedule, especially with zero mechanical equipment. Our home building toolbox included: Three shovels, 10 well-loved five-gallon buckets (five without handles), a pickax, 500 feet of fishing line, six masonry tools, three hammers, one level, a strange looking rebar cutter, and an electric drill. The water for mixing cement and mortar was a long surgical tube originating from a valve in the adjacent chicken coup. 

Teodoro and Belden are veterans of this house building project. Our team of 12 was split between two sites, 500 feet apart.  Our volunteer team included: Myself, Michael and wife Carol, Jamie, Joanne, as well as the family: Dad Leo/Mom Marta/11-year-old girl Sucely/4-year-old Genesis. The family members are expected to participate at the same level as the volunteers.

It was obvious from the get go that having our building materials nine feet above the build site and around a corner was going to require significant team work. Our bucket chains became the most efficient way to move material on demand. Each effort was between 40-75 buckets at a time. One word we kept hearing from Teo: Mas! Our good attitudes got tested early. 

By the end of day one, our team had poured a foundation, modified 100’s of blocks to fit rebar, stacked/mortared four blocks high, and transferred God knows how many blocks off the hill. Retuning to Antigua in a state of incredible fatigue, I just kept thinking about #MyAwesomeDad, #Max, and these families who will never have to live in a 110 SF, dirt floor shanty again. I also recognized a deep sense of gratitude for the other build team of: Kelly, Teresa, Jill, James, Eric, and Kate, led by Hector and Felix. 

Photo on the left: Group Build Day One. Photo on the right: Tres Leche dessert. 

At the end of day two, our walls reached six feet. I was now a believer in our five day build schedule. One aspect I hadn’t quite acknowledged was the amount of unending labor put in by Leo, the father of the family. After a full day of building and long after we all jumped in the truck and had a nice shower in Antigua, he was expected to move more sand, gravel and blocks. It’s beyond inspiring to watch a man go to such lengths for his family.  Another facet of this adventure I hadn’t quite fully taken in was the effect this type of work was to have on my 60 year old body. I began to wonder if siting down was a good idea, not being sure I could get back up! Fortunately, Michael kept us on a schedule that included early dinner reservations so we could get a full night of rest. As mentioned prior, I was really impressed by the international culinary scene in Antigua. 

The end of day three was a game changer for us and especially me. We’d reached the roof line with our walls. The roof structure was next. This was a tapered set of blocks, eight lightweight metal trusses and overlapping corrugated metal. Teo called my name, showed me his well worn trowel and pointed to the top edge which had yet to be filled with mortar. With my 5 gallon bucket half full of mortar and a trowel in the other, I made my may to up the scaffolding. In Guatemala, to compensate for shorter pieces of lumber, they use bailing wire to secure the overlapping lengths where they join the scaffolding. I have to admit, this did seem a little shaky but, when in Rome…. 

When the two boards snapped under my full weight, I tried to grab the upper wall we’d just recently finished. The 2×8 just missed my head by an inch as I went down. Fortunately, my seven-foot descent landed me on the dirt, clear of any blocks. As far as I could remember, I didn’t hear anything snap except lumber. However, standing on my right foot was not an option. With help, I was able to get to the sand pile and get my leg elevated after my built mate Jamie shoved a handful of Advil down my throat. Observing my arms from wrist to elbow and my legs, it appears I’d rode the cement block surface on the way down. Jamie and another fine build mate Jill made quick work of my missing skin, cleaning the wounds with very moist alcohol pads. 

Trying to be the tough guy when the sting nearly made me levitate wasn’t a good option. It hurt like a Mother! Magically, two baggies of ice arrived. Once it became obvious I would live, everyone went back to work and I spent the remaining part of the afternoon as an observer, not a role I play well. My most pressing challenge was getting off the hill. That trek included navigating a steep, very uneven draining ditch that served as our path to the build site. With Belden in front and Teo holding me from the rear, I used part of discarded round fence pole as my cane. 

While the others went to dinner, I spent from 4PM until the next morning on my back, my foot wrapped in ice. The big test was being able to stand and hobble to get coffee in the morning. The central square in Antigua is an oasis. Surrounded by colonial buildings and a magnificent, yet reserved cathedral, these morning jaunts of just Michael and I became sacred space and time for he and I. I’m convinced our hearts where sewn from the same spool of thread. Watching him interact with a brand of Spanish similar to my kindergarten Italian, it’s heartening to see how humanity is the real language between Michael and his amigos. 

With patience and determination, I made it up to the build site. Today included an extra special mission I could not miss. Only Michael was aware of my plan. Day four includes pouring the floor. Like everything else, this is a very manual activity. Take six bags of cement at 125 lbs. each, sixty buckets of sand, add water, mix with a shovel on a piece of discarded roof metal until Teo stops yelling Mas! 

Fill the five-gallon bucket and swing around the corner while standing on one leg. Repeat three dozen times.

Before we started the day, I gathered Teo and Belden inside and opened my hand. “Mi Padre” is the same in Spanish and Italian, Thank God. Few words needed to be exchanged when they saw the tiny clear container of my Dad’s remains. I then asked Teo to stop pouring and let me know when he got to the part of the floor just below the view window. I asked all six of our build team to join us as I shared a prayer of gratitude, Michael did the same. In Pastores, Guatemala, the spirit of a man that blessed my life with so much good fortune will do the same for Leo and family. With a face full of tears, I let his ashes fall into the cement and poured the five gallon bucket below the view window.

Photo on the left: Leaving the Spirit of #MyAwesomeDad. Photo on the right: Six year Genesis paints too.

Paint in Guatemala begins as powder packets to be mixed with water. Each family picks the colors. Rosa red interior and medium green exterior was to be our color pair. The other house color scheme resembled an IKEA with yellow interior and blue exterior. In the five gallon bucket, it’s nearly liquid form so the paint soaks into the block. Holding the bucket next the wall and throwing paint is best for coverage. With three of us inside and three outside, we covered the entire house in two hours. Within that same time period, Teo and Belden installed the view window and black metal locking door. Having keys and the security that comes with them is a new facet for Leo and Marta. 

Six feet above the ground, Teo drove a small nail in the block wall between the door and window. This entire endeavor now became personal, complete with a lump in my throat. Beldon hung the dedication plaque and although it’s written in Spanish, my limited handle of Latin gave me goosebumps:

“Esta casa fue construdia para la familia Chacon Pio pro De Casas a Hogares

Trabajamos con amore n nuestros corazones para hacer de esta casa su amoroso hogar.

Dedicamos esta casa a mi padre, Larry Snyder

Quien brindo un hogar famillia de amor, respeto, felicidad y prosperidad”

Febrero 2022

“This house was built for the Chaco Pio family by From Houses to Homes.

We work with love in our hearts to make this house your loving home.

We dedicate the house to my father, Larry Snyder,

who provided a family home of love, respect, happiness, and prosperity”

February 2022

I spent the following several minutes trying to hide my emotions. I was awash in gratitude for the family I call my own and now, this set of willing, fellow souls who helped construct this modest shrine to the man who showed me life, business, and an elevated human experience. I am deeply touched to know a pair of families in the middle of Central America have a home they can call their own. Even more so, I’m thankful the conditions of which we found them living are no more. 

Photo on the left: Build Team-Green House. Photo on the right: Michael and the Unicorn Piñata.

Our mission was nearly complete. After dinner, Michael, and a few of us walked across town to the ‘Big’ Store to buy a few household items as well as continue an important tradition I was unaware of. Once we’d filled a shopping cart with two trash cans, a dozen dishes, and some plastic kitchen wear, Michael took me to the second level.  Guatemala allowed me several new experiences. Walking through dozens of colorful Pinata’s suspended from a wire got me giddy for tomorrow’s house build finale. A 36” purple unicorn bear seemed to fit the occasion. With ten pounds of candy, two medium trash cans full of goods to make each house a little more like home, and a giant piñata wired over a broom handle, four of us traversed Antigua in the dark. Tommorow was going to be fun for all the kids, this one included.

After breakfast, we loaded up for our last trip standing against chest level railings in back of a couple 30-year pickups. Included were our newly bought goods, a stuffed unicorn, plenty of gifts each of us thought to bring from home, and a bit of sadness realizing this would be our final 30-minute ride to our build site in Pastores. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua still maintains its cobblestone streets, iconic yellow arch, and lovely colored one rise buildings. Every truck bound trip, coming and going to Pastores helped me love everything about this mission more, including this build team. Eight days ago, nearly a dozen strangers met in Houston. We had quickly become a family with a common goal. Even with this common thread, it was interesting to find out everyone’s personal path to Guatemala. 

Although I very much wanted to, I hadn’t spent much time on the other build site beyond meeting Marta (coincidently, the same name as our build site “Mom”) and her five children. Her youngest was just 28 days old. Set on the same hill, about 500 feet below the build site our team was working, Felix and Hector directed the house that Marta and family would soon call home. Volunteers Kelly, Teresa, Jill, Kate, James and Eric each followed a similar calling to Make a Difference in Guatemala not really knowing the full scope of the work. We each shared similar woes of sore bodies. We also shared some really fantastic dinners together. I’m still intrigued how a dozen strangers came together to form the perfect shared humanity experience. My goal was to dedicate this home to Max, a fellow Starbucks Partner (employee) tragically killed in a freak accident with his mom just before Halloween 2021. On the first day of our build, volunteer Eric and I had a private conversation only to discover this build was a very special mission for him as well. His 18-year-old daughter and he had done one of these builds a decade earlier. He came on this trip to honor Rowen. She took her own life at 18. We agreed the combined spirit of his daughter and Max needed to be honored together. The IKEA Yellow and Blue house would be remembered for them both. On dedication day, in-country administrator Carmen of From Houses to Homes read the plaque in both Spanish and English.

“Esta casa fue construdia para la familia Hidalgo Xuya pro De Casas a Hogares

Trabajamos con amore n nuestros corazones para hacer de esta casa su amoroso hogar.

Dedicamos esta casa a Max y su madre Cami y Rowen, quienes nos dejaron demasiado pronto pero siempre seran recordados como amables energicos y llenos de amor por la vida”.

“This house was built for the family Hildalgo Xuya by From Houses to Homes.

We work with love to make this home their loving home.

We dedicate this house to Max and his mother Cami and Rowen, who left us too soon but will always be remembered as kind energetic and full of love for life”.

Like I had done with Pio and his family, Eric presented the keys to Marta. Hugs, tears, and laughter came from each girl as Carmen translated why building this house meant so much to him. They graciously accepted that Rowen’s spirit would be forever a part of their home as would be Max and Cami. Like the home up the hill dedicated to #MyAwesomeDad, this new 300 square foot block home is a giant advance in the human experience for both families. They’ve only known a 110 square foot shanty constructed of corn stalks, plastic, and discarded corrugated metal. During the rainy season, it’s impossible to keep the water from covering the floor.  It was apparent that Marta was overwhelmed as we presented gifts from home and the household items purchased at the ‘Big’ Store. 

Photo on the left: Build Team Blue House. Photo on the right: Eric honoring his daughter Rowen.

I realized watching these two families graciously receive their new homes and the accompanying gifts that the joy really does go to the giver. Each of us traveled hours and spent days laboring way harder than we do at home because the benefit was to others. It’s nothing compared to the gift of joy we presented to our own hearts. I’d encourage anyone looking to get outside themselves and join a From Houses to Homes Build Team.

It was time for a Party! Teo, Belden, Felix, and Hector knew exactly what to do. Once the purple unicorn piñata was hung, the seven kids became 20 as the word got around. As is tradition, the smallest kid goes first. He tried with all he had. Next, the little girl gave it her best. On about the sixth child our Unicorn exploded sending candy in all directions. Watching, I was once again moved to tears realizing how fortunate I was to be part of such a remarkable mission, especially being able to remember #MyAwesomeDad and Max. Very few things I’ve ever experienced and felt at this level happened inside my comfort zone. 

Several hugs and many final waves with loud ‘gracias’ sent us down the big hill to jump in the waiting pickups for our last ride back to Antigua. It felt as if we just had figured out every ‘leaning’ turn and point of interest including the thirty foot cowboy boot at the crossing of two major roads with no stop signs!

Each time we returned to Posada San Sabastian, either Luis or Hugo welcomed us, often with a hug even though our clothes where covered in a combination of dried mortar, dirt or paint. This seemingly elevated brand of hospitality wasn’t just reserved for our hotel. I noticed it with nearly every native I connected with.  Although our language was clumsy in part, because I was often substituting Italian words in place of Spanish, that obstacle didn’t deter their intent. Even Clara, the incredibly persistent seller of Guatemalan souvenirs seems to come from a place of grace and humanity. 

With a couple of hours to spare before our final dinner, I took a stroll to the center square. Much like the passegata I’ve watched in Italian villages, the locals of Antigua strolled, laughed with each other, peaked at the new baby in the stroller, and discussed subject matter well outside my limited Spanish words. Being a giant advocate of community and shared humanity, I wondered for the 300^th time why my own country isn’t more closely connected.  My friend Kate and I finished our tour with a few minutes of quiet time in the cathedral. Answering the call to send up some good words for a few friends in need, I also took a minute to give thanks for the two people that put love in my heart and service in my value structure. I live to honor them, every day.

Photo on the left: Sharing prayers in Antigua. Photo on the right: Boats waiting at Lake Atilan.

At 8AM, our van driver Marvin waited for us to load up the same grey Toyota eight-seater that gathered us a week earlier. Our destination was Lake Atilan for a few days of rest and relaxation. I’ve now figured out that R/R when Michael Chansler is involved will include adventure of some kind. Like one week ago when this day ‘hike’ turned out to be a mountain climbing excursion with two horses to the edge of a crater for lunch. I loved it. After an adventurous two hours, the winding hill ended at a narrow passage that was our destination. Panajachel is a marina of sorts. Dozens of unusual 25-foot vessels with 250 Horsepower Outboard engines all tied together awaited passengers. 

Thankfully, Michael has prearranged our 20-minute water taxi, thus avoiding the numerous hustlers vying for our business as we exited Marvins’s van. Because our boat was wedged between two others, our onboarding was anything but graceful. Also, because I am often the organizer of foreign experiences for others, it was mostly enjoyable and somewhat nerve wracking to just go with the flow for the last several days. Looking at the magnificent shoreline and 9500-foot volcanoes ringing Lake Atilan, I figured if I died expectantly, at least it would be in a magnificent spot.

The dock at Casa del Mundo requires a fair amount of good timing and a whole lot of faith in others. Located about three miles down the six-mile lake, the 1000-foot-deep lake has plenty of wave action, especially with the eastern wind. With my backpack and messed up leg, I waited for the wave to hit the shore, bounce back which pushed the nose up and made my move to the dock. Not sure how one would do this without the two locals keeping me from entering the lake on the opposite side of the dock. Much like our Italian friends, one thing Guatemalans aren’t afraid of are stairs. This lakeside oasis has taken 30 years to complete. Each phase was another building climbing the steep hillside. All materials had to come by boat. Our group took nearly half of the 19 rooms and although I didn’t do the math, I believe the climb to the top room was a few hundred steps above the water.

Photo on the left: Lakeside at Casa Del Mundo. Photo on the right: Volcano Atilan from my bed.

I knew the view from Room #3 was going to be epic before I even stuck the key in the door. Just three miles directly across Lago Atilan stands Volcano Atilan, Volcano Toliman, and Volcano San Pedro. Trying to adequately describe the remarkable view from the giant lake facing window could never replicate reality. Each standing almost 10,000 feet, it’s no wonder the explosions 84,000 years ago made such a deep lake. After dinner, I sat on the veranda as the purple sky gave way to a magnificent star show. Another wave of gratitude came over me. Water was a place #MyAwesomeDad was drawn to from a very early ago. My DNA has taken me on a similar path. Waking before dawn, the light of the moon made a beautiful silhouette of all three volcanos. As day broke, I’ll I had to do is move my feet to get the perfect shot of Volcano Atilan from my bed. 

The adventure for the day was lake kayaking to San Marco, a hippy commune/village three miles down lake. Three miles in a lake kayak doesn’t sound too far…unless you’re the one paddling. Fortunately, the plan included having a big boat come and retrieve our little boats. At nearly 2000 residents from all over the globe, San Marco is like stepping into 1973. Artist’s line every alley with their handmade wares, dirt floor restaurants with mostly vegetarian menus, and the smell of incense made me think I was in Haight Ashbury, not Guatemala. Taken by his delicate bone carvings of Myan symbols on wax coated twine, myself, Kate, Kelly, and Teresa all bought several items from Amadu. The Peruvian uses all his 90-day visa peddling his unique art to willing visitors, like us. As one might expect, Amadu was not a frequent user of Right Guard, another reminder of our locale. 

After another memorable dinner together at Casa Del Mundo, it was staring to sink in. This Guatemala Build Crew Adventure was coming to a close. Our 9AM boat made a quick trip back to the very confusing marina where Marvin stood at the ready. Like always, Luis and Hugo welcomed us at Podesta San Sebastian. They too, had a bit of a reserved demeanor acknowledging this gathering was down to our final night together.

Lucky for us, Luis’s wife Rossana is a professional caterer. Our final dinner together was around a long table in the courtyard of Podesta San Sabastian. Taking stock of my location, and enjoying one bite of this delicious, authentic meal at a time, I began to acknowledge this whole experience was one giant, awesome circle. Just 10 days earlier, nearly a dozen strangers gathered in the middle of the Houston Airport, each having answered some inner voice to make a difference. To our fearless leaders Michael and Carol as well as our build team family: Jill, Jamie, Joanne, Kate, Teresa, Kelly, Eric, and James, I am forever grateful to have had our human experiences sewn together by the thread of shared humanity. I will never forget each of you. Thank you for helping honor #MyAwesomeDad and Max in the best way possible.

To those in country: Luis, Rosanna, Hugo and the entire staff at Podesta San Sabastian, my experience at your beautiful spot in Antigua could not have been any better. You are kind, beautiful, and very special people.

To every member of From Houses to Homes: The life changing work you make possible in Guatemala is beyond remarkable. Giant Thanks to Executive Director Judy Baker, Project Director Oscar, Carmen, Teodoro, Belden, Felix, Juan, Hector, Marvin, Diego, Monkey, and many more I’m sure. 

To all that supported this mission with your contributions, good thoughts, and prayers, you made a difference in so many lives. 

If you believe others would benefit from reading his, feel free to share it. 

I’m also open to your comments below. 

Finally, I’m closing this story on the 1^st anniversary of #MyAwesomeDads passing. 

Being able to give others the gift he gave his children is the very best way to honor him.

Incredible Blessings,

Larry