The following was a letter to my Dad 10 years ago, printed on the backside of the "Dad's Boy" Norman Rockwell picture I gave as a gift on Father's Day (posted in the photos section of this memorial):                                                                                                                                                                                                        Dear Dad, You have a number of great photos of yourself skiing, but until now you did not have a Norman Rockwell painting of yourself giving a gift that is the hallmark of all great fathers: passing on their life's passion to their beloved child.  Seriously, this classic portrait is amazing, because the father not only looks like you, but you'll note that the date given is 1961.  This is the year, at just two years of age, that you started me skiing!! Not only did you inspire in me one of the great passions of my life, but a generation later, your grandchildren have also followed your lead and made skiing a joyful part of their lives.  And like you, as a young father I could hardly wait to get my own kids skiing as well, in order to share this passion.  So at the same tender age of two, your first grandson, Matt, also began skiing!  Remarkably enough, the "son" in this portrait actually looks like Matt!  And truly, your legacy is being passed down, not just to me, but now on to your grandchildren.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               I can attest tht the "job" of being a father is the toughest calling of all, far more challenging than any other endeavor in life.  It requires not just love and patience, but at at times a level of self-sacrifice that seems beyond human capacity, and without necessarily seeing any immediate fruits of our labor.  In the end, if we can look back and know that we have inspired our children in some way, that part of us lives on through some lsting passion in their lives, well then we will have known that we did it right.  Dad, rest assured, you did well!  I hope and pray that in the years to come, I can maintain the closeness with my own children in a way that reflects the deep love and respect that we have for each other.  I know this is not always the case among fathers and sons, and cannot be taken for granted.  That is why I appreciate, that much more, having a father like you, and being able to enjoy doing things with you, and because of you.  Thank you for sharing skiing, and so many of your life's passions with me! With great love and affection on Father's Day!!!  Your son, Mark