My dad was an amazing man with an endless supply of patience. He was also a badass but managed to balance out both sides of that coin. His grandfather was a carpenter by trade and those skills were passed down to him. He created and built many beautiful things with his hands. He was an artist in many ways whether he was sketching out blueprints, or drawing portraits in pencil or even crayon.
His love for animals was endless. Most of the pets throughout his life were strays he found on piers, wandering the streets cold and hungry or found hiding in hollowed out trees. I say most pets were strays because I doubt the parrot that cursed in Finnish was one. I'm also fairly certain he had a hand in the bird's colorful vocabulary though he never admitted to it (and would just grin when asked). If he could have taken in every animal he saw that was hurt, hungry or lonely and had the space to do it - he would have done it.
Dad was the same way with people. He would help anyone who asked and he did it without ever expecting a single thing in return - not even a thank you. He did this because "you help people for the sake of helping them," and that's it. Some took advantage of this but whether he knew it or not he still willingly went about doing what he could for them and that says a lot about him as well.
My dad loved his country and the Fourth of July. He had briefly been in college for architecture when the service and Vietnam called him. He put his talents and skill to work for the US Navy and was part of their branch The Seabees (and here's the badass part). The Seabees could cut down trees, clear a jungle and build a runway before the enemy even knew they were there and sometimes also did this under heavy fire. The first Navy SEALS in 1940s were men handpicked from the Seabees. Total badassery. He returned to the states and continued to put himself in harm's way to protect people by first becoming a police officer and then eventually working for the US Customs and Treasury Department. He retired after three decades of service.
Dad also loved and was very proud of his Finnish heritage. He spoke fondly of this often and though he may not have thought he passed that on to his children, it is a great part of me. "Vikings never get lost!" was a common warcry (as we sat in the car on the side of the road somewhere in Pennsylvania at 2 in the morning - not lost - mind you). Vikings apparently also refuse to ask for directions because they always know exactly where they are (on the side of the road in PA somewhere).
And if ever there was an embodiment of the Finnish concept of Sisu - he was the walking personification of it. "To the Finnish people, sisu has a mystical, almost magical meaning. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage."
Sisu is not momentary courage but the ability to sustain that courage - Dad did that throughout his entire life until his last breath. He was a strong man in every way but it was finally time to let go.
I love you. The kids love you, you live on in many ways.
Onward to Valhalla, Dad - where Vikings never get lost (or at least the signs pointing to the mead hall can't be missed).
