My Three Sons:Patrick;Part 2

Everything is kind of a blurr. I could get some of the specifics messed up a bit, but the story is generally correct. Val and Pat began dating while she was taking classes at IUSB to become Dental Hygienist, which she is. Their relationship was deep enough that when Val graduated and left for Indy, Pat jumped at the chance to move there as well with Enterprise. He trained with them at the airport where they put folks they want on the fast track. But even though he was moving up, he knew there something different he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to go into pharmaceutical sales. And after a number of interviews with different companies, some getting him down to the final two candidates, he landed a great job with Sanofi Pasteur selling vaccines to help keep kids from catching life threatening illnesses. And he is really good at it. Even cooler is that there is a common thread that runs through all three of Dana and my sons: they have chosen careers that really help people.

And for Pat that mind set has spilled over into his leisure time. Patrick has become deeply involved in a ministry called Samaritans Feet. You might remember some basketball coaches who coached barefoot in a game this past season to draw attention to kids who don't have any shoes in such places as South America or Africa. You might have seen the Governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, do an press conference barefoot to announce that Indianapolis will be a hub and warehouse for the shoes that will be sent with volunteers as they wash and place shoes and socks on children's feet. He is helping me in South Bend and his brother Todd in Elkhart do the same thing. Just like his brothers, Patrick is a difference maker.

And as they wait to start a family, Pat, and Val who has been working closely with Habitat for Humanity, are giving of themselves to make a difference in the world around them. Add to that their ministry of service to those in need in the city of Indianapolis at their church, and you find a couple driven to help people meet the challenges life places in front of them every day. I am so proud of them

But I am proud of all of my young men and their wives. You see, my three sons wouldn't be nearly as effective in their lives if it wasn't for the love and support of their wives. And it works the same in the other direction. Katie wouldn't be as great a mom and teacher at Jefferson Intermediate School as she is without Tim. Jami wouldn't be as great a mom and Communications Manager at Granger Community Church without Todd.

Dana and I are in awe of our family. They are full of the love of God and it shows. They all are some of the finest people you will ever meet. I just hope someday you get the opportunity.