The Butterfly Effect

-Written June 19, 2016- for Father's Day

The Butterfly Effect is this idea that small occurrences in the present can yield massive effect in the future; much like a seed planted fifty years ago might be a large shade tree now.

Not long ago a gentleman spoke at my dad's memorial. He shared the story of my father saving him from a near-drowning when he was eight years old. (My father never shared this story or many of the others I heard that week.) At that time, my dad was a life guard at the Liberty Pool during a rather iconic period in the history of my hometown. The gentleman shared that he knew of others my dad had to pull out of the pool during his tenure there.

As I listened to this gentleman describe his childhood event, I began to imagine the lives that were affected by that one moment in time. Entire generations of family, from his kids to his grand-kids, would never have come into existence had he not lived past that day. This white-haired man now in his 60s was there to tell that story...mind-boggling. It's mind-boggling to imagine the long-term effect of our actions...even our words. They shape tomorrow in ways more profound than we ever credit.

Today, like so many who have lost their father, I felt great sadness. A fresh swell of pain washed over me throughout the afternoon. At times I felt as if I was nearly drowning in a sorrow certainly as deep as the waters of that Liberty Pool. And to my rescue comes, not one, but, many people who understand and sympathize.

Understanding and sympathy… I am certainly a culprit in its lack. I wonder what the butterfly effect of our words and actions will show fifty years down the road. I wonder what their expression could show with just a dash more of these two traits now.

Thank you for your kindness and, thank you, daddy, for providing so many examples of selflessness and humility.

For a quick dash of humor: https://www.thejamiereports.com/2018/05/daddys-paper-route-and-mamas-new-friend.html

I continue to be,


Jamie