Legacy in Me

Dear Diary,

My father's funeral was yesterday.  I was completely overwhelmed by all the people that were there.  All the seats were filled and late comers were left standing in the hall.  So many introduced themselves to me; as they said their names, forgotten childhood memories of them resurfaced in my mind.  The positive energy that flowed from all these people stunned me.  So many stories of how caring and giving my dad was threw me because I struggled so much trying to communicate with and understand my dad as I grew up.  At the reception, I made an effort to sit at every table for a few minutes.  The wonderful stories shared about my dad made me realize something . . . something big.  I didn't just get my dry wit and sense of humor from my father.  His legacy gave me something more.  My dad had a heart of gold.  I always thought my bleeding heart was a weakness within me.  Yesterday, I realized I was wrong.  NOBODY would have called my dad weak; not even at the end when he was suffering most.  My dad gave me a heart that cares about others and that burning need to help out.  I am proud to be my father's daughter and I will never forget this last lesson that he taught me through all the great people he left behind.