Principle: You must march forth and make things happen for yourself. Despite the critics and naysayers. March 4th (Forth) A message from my Dad When I was approximately four years old, I can still remember the scene when my Dad said he was leaving us. We were in the back room of our house with my Mom, brother, and two sisters. Tears came to all of our eyes as we realized our parents were getting divorced. My relationship with my Dad was not very close; however, I was not bitter as I grew up and proceeded on with my life. It was Mom who went to the wrestling matches and football games. It was Mom who took care of the duties of the household. A story so often repeated in today's social mirror. There were several occasions where my Dad picked me up and took me home from college for a vacation, visited me while I lived in Philadelphia. Also, some family gatherings. Obviously, it was not to the extent of my relationship with Mom. It was not mad or player hating. I grew up, understood, and forgave as I became an adult. Well, while I was living and working in St. Louis, I came home for the Christmas holiday and my Dad was in jail on a drug charge or charges. It was tough to talk with him on a phone while he was behind a plate glass window. He was very apologetic for all of the lost opportunities while growing up. I said to him, "Don't worry about it because there is nothing that can be done other than moving forward from where we are at right now. I forgave you a long time ago." When I left the facility, tears came to my eyes because I didn't think that I would be in a position to speak with my Dad behind bars. Well, he was in jail for approximately eight years and was released just as I was moving back to my hometown. It was really great to see him and he proceeded to take over a used furniture store from my cousin that was named "Some of Everything." I helped him in the store on a daily basis, and he taught me many things from a business standpoint. He also taught me the auction business and how to buy and sell furniture. It certainly wasn't a lucrative way to make a living compared to what I was doing as a field service engineer and specification writer for Lucent Technologies. We had fun together and it gave us an opportunity as Father and Son to bond and grow. The past was the past. But the time we had then was important to me as well as him. Three years after moving back to my hometown, it was time to spread my wings and move on. I was moving to Kansas with my cousin to expand my career in public transit. I will never forget the scene with my Father as I left as I hugged him and told him, "I Love You" and he had tears in his eyes. This would be the last time I would see him. It was October 2003, one month after I moved to Kansas, and I received a call from my sister informing me that the doctor said my Dad had about two months to live. He was diagnosed with a serious case of lung cancer which was inoperable. I was deeply saddened and devastated. Now, things made sense. My dad disappeared for a period of two weeks some time earlier only to find out from him that he had some of his lung removed. He informed us he was alright. Also, he was always borrowing my book, "A Cure For All Cancers." December 2003 came and gone and my Dad was still alive. However, it was clearly apparent that his health was deteriorating. He was becoming weaker, and in my phone calls with him, his speech was becoming incoherent due to the stroke he had. January 2004, February 2004 came and gone. I remember during this time, having a conversation with my sister - If they put him on life support, the siblings (us) were going to make the decision to have him taken off so that he can rest and go home in peace. The last conversation I had with him, I knew for a fact that it would be my last. I could not understand his speech due to his stroke. However, I understood the last words we had with each other. I said, "I love you Dad" through my sobbing and tears. His response, "I love you Son." A couple of days later, I was driving a charter service at work. My cell phone was blowing up. When I got back to base, I saw it was a phone call from my brother. My heart sank because I knew why he was calling. This day was MARCH 4TH. I knew before I called, my Dad had passed away. When I spoke with my brother he said, "Dana, Dad is gone." One of the first thoughts that came to my mind was the day it happened. He passed on March 4th. Longer than what the doctors expected. Longer than what any of us expected. To me, my Dad was passing a message to all of us. That message was March 4th (FORTH). March forward in life. Keep on moving. Things will be alright. Just like he marched forth to a better place. We must march forth and fulfill all of our dreams and visions while we are still living and breathing on this planet. On "The Road Where There Is No Traffic Jam" marching forth is the thing you need to do despite the circumstances around you and the circumstances of life. You have to remember that the social mirror has way too many traffic jams that create discord in your life. You must march forth and make things happen for yourself. Despite the critics and naysayers. March Forth. My Dad was teaching me even in his passing. A message that I will carry with myself and implement and for sharing with you. I want to thank you for sharing a special message with me today. As you travel on your journey, just take note of the special messages that are passed to you on a daily basis. Please go to http://fuelforwellness.com/ for free tools and personal development guidelines to help you help yourself produce to the success and happiness you deserve in life. Peace. Dana Easter El - The Doctor Of Excellence.