Ode to Mister Lee

It’s been 11 years since the world’s best dad passed away. I’ve been trying to do my best to be a little bit as awsome ever since.

My Dad, Lee Seefeldt, was the king of dads. There’s no doubt.

He taught me how to be a great man just by living as a great man. I haven’t usually lived up to what he thought, but the bar has always been there — something to aspire to.

My Dad was great as a captain of industry or a political force. He was just great every day being true to the people he loved.

My Dad was bricklayer and average man from a quick glance. But he was far from average.

You could count on him, full stop. No questions asked. If you needed Mr. Lee, you didn’t have to ask. He showed me that with his actions and he reinforced with with his words.

He took life seriously, but not too seriously. He told me to read the newspaper everyday, to always vote and to think hard every time I went to a ballot box. He thought me that the little things are what matter. Your kid, your wife — it should be crystal clear every day that you love them — they should feel it and they should hear it.

He taught me to aspire to be great at your craft, but not to neglect the other things and the people in your life,

He taught me how to step out of my comfort zone to do what needed to be done when it needed to be done.

And he taught me how to be brave and gracious in troubled times — something he really drove home in his final days.

He even taught me how to get along without him — evern though it sucks to do so.

Dad I pray there is a lake in heaven with fish that can’t resist your hook. And that there is a bar playing 50s music where you and mom can jive the night away. Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

-30-