In his most challenging moments in life, dad would often retire to our garage when I was a child.  There I would witness him in deep thought and reflection.  I would sometimes ask him what he was thinking about.  In many instances, he would reply, "You wouldn't understand."  In some ways, I felt slighted and other times insulted.  I heard him say that not only to me, but also my wonderful mother and my amazing siblings.

However, as I review his life through the eyes of all of the people who were fortunate enough to experience his time on Earth, I grow more convinced that I was not ready to understand when I asked the questions; and now I am finding that my dad somehow knew that eventually I would both answer my own question, and begin to fully understand it.

• Dad: Whatcha need THAT for?
• Me: So I can add you as a driver for the rental car.
• Dad: You don't need a drivers license to drive!
• Me: What?! YES, you do! What are you talking about?!
• Dad: You don't NEED a driver's license to drive!  But you DO need one to get stopped!!