When it came right down to it, what did he have to show for his life? Divorced. Widowed. His work encompassed his livelihood. His focus, his drive, his life. He builds a boat. But how many? Each one isn't right…so he starts again. Then again. And Again. Even in that part of his life he fails…But not in his career…not in his job…not in his…life. It's where he finds his purpose, his reason for existing, whether he'd admit it or not. It's there he's able to care for a make believe family; a prodigal son who needs more attention than he can give. Another who needs reassurance at every turn. A daughter who has stolen his heart and another who may be the only person on earth who he's afraid of. He takes guidance from a man he likens to the Father he always wanted and it reminds him daily of how much he longed to see his own daughter grow.

On the cold nights in his basement he ponders all the what if's that plague us all. He sands down the wood with a certain elegance and gentleness that most people never see. The side of him that loves with all his heart; even if his heart is barely beating. He works intricately to make it as perfect as he can...but when you aim for perfection, often comes disappointment. And he's seen his fair share. Sometimes when he rests his eyes, he sees the car that held his wife and daughter. He sees Kate's body hit the ground and he wishes silently that it had been him instead of her. But it's those times when he remembers his family…the one not under his roof. The one he provides for but not in the way you'd think. The one he offers advice to, whether they listen or not. The one he protects; with his own life if necessary. The one he hopes outlive him.

It's that family that wakes him up every morning. It's that family that warms his broken heart and it's that family that keeps his faith alive. He often wonders how good of a job he's really doing. After all, doesn't every Parent? He fathers them the only way he knows how. The same way his Father had. Silence speaks more than words and there is more than one way to show affection. His mother had taught him gentleness and that the little things matter just as much as the big things. He puts them into practice daily and hopes to impart some inkling of wisdom to them.

But when all is said and done; he kneels down beside his bed each night and prays. Each of them rest at the front of his mind as he goes to God on behalf of their lives. He prays for safety, for happiness and for a life much more full than his own. But before he says Amen, and closes his eyes for a few hours of solitude, he asks one last time…to never lose another child. Because he fears that if he does…his life may be over after all.