Earlier this month I wrote a tribute to my mother for her birthday.
It was a neat experience to take the time to ponder deeply the things I love
about my Mom. It was even sweeter to place those thoughts into writing.
It’s only fitting with today being Father’s Day that I write
a tribute to my dad, Michael Clark Brewer.
It is difficult to know where to begin. I will start with my
earliest childhood memory. I was three years old. It was the Portland Temple
dedication in 1989. I remember holding my father’s hand and walking through the
temple with him. I probably talked loudly the whole time, and my dad was
probably very patient with me. My earliest memory is one of my favorites of my dad.
I also remember when my dad baptized me, ordained me, and crying his eyes out
when I left to be an LDS missionary.
The greatest tribute to my dad is this: He taught me to be a
man and he taught me to serve.
My dad has been attending early Sunday church meetings since
before I was born. He is faithful in EVERY church duty assigned to him. Growing
up, whenever there was someone in need, we were there. We moved people, fixed
fences and roofs, shoveled driveways and moved some more. “The Brewer Boys”
were always there. Were we excited to help? Not all the time. But my dad was.
He taught us how to work, serve, and be men of God.
My dad, has had ups and downs all of his life. He has worked
extremely hard, even to this day, to support a family. My dad is a man of
little words, so I will share some of the things he has shared with me over the
years, so you can get to know the greatest man in my life.
He worked at JC Pennys as a manager for many years. He had
many difficult bosses, many who didn’t like the fact that he had six boys. My
dad told me that there were many hard days where he would leave the sales floor
and go back to his office, ready to give up. Completely. Completely give up.
These are the words of an almost defeated man. Almost.
My dad said of these difficult days, “I would look at the
pictures of my six sons sitting on my desk, and I would then have the strength
to continue on one more day.” This continued on for 16 years.
Most fathers would love to come home after a long day and
rest. My dad would come home to six boys. Resting was impossible. J He played with us, and
must have crashed the moment we went to sleep. When the weekends came, we were
helping someone move. Sunday came, and my dad was at the church before I was
even awake. Monday came, and my dad was off to the office, before I was up for
school. As you can observe, my dad is pretty amazing, but there’s more.
Despite Saturdays full of sports and other activities, my
parents were able to slip away and visit the temple. They found great solace there.
They would always return refreshed and renewed. This example of temple
attendance was very powerful on us boys. We were not financially well off, but
my parents always gave a very generous Fast Offering. When one of my brothers
was being set apart as a missionary, our bishop made a very spiritual and
inspired comment. The bishop said, “he was inspired to tell us that the reason
our family was so blessed with righteousness amongst us boys was directly
related to my parents giving overly generous Fast Offerings for many years.” I’ve
never forgotten that experience.
After a recent blessing for my dad who is having pain in an
ailing arm, he made some special comments that I will never forget. He expressed
that he has always felt a little less than others around him and that he is not a man of
many eloquent words. He described how he often felt like an outsider at the work place because
of his beliefs and the fact that he had a large family. Many thought he was
crazy for having so many kids.
Let me begin by saying I believe my dad is greater than all those
around him. I think he is a man of wisdom and requires only a few words to make
his point, while it takes others paragraphs to do the same. I thank my dad for
having so many kids. I love my brothers, who all received our eagle scout award
(with a double case of “boot in the butt” from our parents) we all served LDS
missions and we are almost all married with children. My dad may feel small in
this life, but I can’t think of a more giant of a man. I can’t think of any who
is loved by God more than my dad. He has given everything, literally
everything, to his family. My dad gave up golfing 30 years ago to raise a
family. He was pretty good. Now he is relearning the game, from his sons.
My Mom and Dad have earned the right to enjoy the twilight
years of their lives. I wish to build them the biggest mansion on the highest
hill overlooking Vancouver. Funny though, my Dad would be happy living in the
simple home where they raised six boys; the very boys that kept my Dad going one
more day, so many years ago.
I love you Dad. Happy Father’s Day. I hope to celebrate you
for many more years.
Your Son,
Benjamin
1 comment:
I ran into this today while browsing on the internet.
I didn't know your father very well when I was a boy. He was a couple of years younger than me. However, after moving up to Kent, Washington; I got to know him and your family.
I don't know why he would feel less than those around him. Your father is a giant of a man (as you well know)! He has set such a wonderful example!
He may be soft spoken and not a man of many words, but his words and his example are very powerful!
That was a wonderful tribute to your father! I found myself nodding and agreeing with most everything that was said.
We have moved to the Salt Lake City area now. So I miss the time we spent when we would visit your parents and with your family. Those were some great memories!
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