This article by Bruce E. Brown of Proactive Coaching, written shortly after the death of his 96-year-old father, reflects on the blessing of a lifelong father and the staggering number of young people growing up without one. Citing research on fatherless homes, it challenges coaches to be difference makers and models of significance for athletes who are missing a father figure. It is from the Parents and Coaches Working Together Proactive Coaching collection.
Introduction
It has been a little over a month since my dad passed away. He had 96 years of happy, healthy, productive, faithful living and only one week of pain. He was in the house that he built and lived in for most of the 71 years he and my mom were married. He never spent a day in a care facility or hospital and died in his own bed with my oldest brother there. We should all be so fortunate.