Last year saw the passing of a man who became a second father to me.
Today marks his birthday, I would call him each year on this day in January, and he would jokingly ask me to call him another day as not to remind him that he was getting older.
I first met David at Hamilton Island in 2003. The week or so prior to meeting him, late one calm afternoon as the sun was setting on beautiful Hamilton Island, while walking along the docks of the marina, observing around me the vast wealth represented in the boats, yachts and super yachts. I pondered half thinking to myself, half praying; surely there must be someone here who can help me understand some of the things I was struggling to grasp with international money markets.
Fast-forward about a week, I was sitting in the tiny white church on the island and at the end of the Sunday service I said hello to the man and a couple of his kids sitting behind me. I asked him what he did, and he said that he “traded the markets”. I responded, “interesting, what do you think about a market turn in the S&P mid next month”. He said, “you better come up for dinner one evening this week” and the rest is history.
Over the next 19 years, David became a father, a mentor and a friend to me, a man who I grew to deeply respect and admire. I got to walk with him through the highs and lows of life.
What he taught me was invaluable. Here are just a few things I learned from him.
Laughter – he always knew how to laugh, be that at himself, life or you, his joyful smile coupled with a witty comment always had those around him laughing
Kindness – I never once heard him say a negative word about those close to him, even during some tough and challenging times, he always remained loving
Generosity – He was always generous, while at the same time he was very secretive about his giving (most people will never know his level of generosity), I often had to fight him to pay for just about everything when together
Know how to nourish your soul – David had two favourite places, his boat and his farm, he was happiest and most joyful either swimming in clear blue water or walking around his farm with a .270 swung over his shoulder hunting for hogs
Learning – I can’t remember a time that he didn’t have a book that he was reading, he was always learning and expanding his mind and growing as a person
Wisdom – He was one of the wisest people I knew, he always had a quest for wisdom and valued it highly, I know those close to him deeply miss been able to call him up and get his wisdom on almost any matter
Don’t be emotional – I witnessed him walk away time and again from real estate, boat, car deals once he had determined how much he was prepared to pay, he would not move, he would say ‘you make your money on the entry of a deal’
Kingdom – he was a man after the Lord’s heart, he constantly studied to know the Lord more intimately, he constantly prayed and was sensitive to the Lord’s leadings
I could go on with what I learned and gleaned from David.
I want to make a special thank you to David & Nicole for walking with me through the darkest and deepest valley of my life in Feb-Mar 2019. Thank you for your kindness, love and support during that period. Thank you.
David, my second dad, my mentor and friend, I’m deeply grateful for all that you invested in me.
Happy birthday Dave!
