Monday, September 22, 2008

Disclosures about work, my place there, and my Dad

My Dad, Kirk Leishman is the hardest working person I have ever met. No one works harder than he does. My comments in an earlier blog about how he would like me to take over and how I already do most of his work was a huge JOKE. Those statements were completely meant as an exaggeration in a joking manner. I'm sure he would like me to continue working for the company, but in no way have I even remotely taken over even 10% of what he does. He has over 20 years experience in the finance world. He was a controller and CFO for many years before doing what he does now. My Dad is also the smartest person I know. Professionally, he knows more about taxes, investments, estates, economics, and business than anyone I know. He is happy to work many more hours past the normal 5PM. I hope to someday, somehow, absorb even half of what he knows. He also knows so much about all kinds of other things. He can fix just about anything you can imagine, plumbing, electrical, building, etc. He has spent many hundreds of hours working on my new house. I will forever feel indebted to him for his love and never exhausting enthusiasm to get the job done. There is no way I could have bought this house and fixed it up on such a small budget without his help and knowledge. We re-finished the hardwood floors for $650 dollars. 1000 square feet of wood flooring for $650 dollars. The lowest bid I got to do the same thing was $3,200. I had never worked those machines or re-finished any wood of any kind, but since my Dad had he encouraged me to give it a try ourselves. Sure, it isn't perfect. But it doesn't really matter. I'm going to raise my family in that house and I'm sure I will have to re-do those floors many more times just from the wear and tear of living life. I hope to someday become even half the man, father, businessman, church leader, and grandfather my Dad is. I hope to someday be as generous with my time, money, advice, and knowledge as my Dad is. He works so hard without ever saying a word. I can't count the nights he has come home from work at 6,7 or 8PM to eat dinner with the family, get us ready for bed and then go back to the office to work until the middle of the night. My Dad is truly the best man I have ever known and ever will know. I am so grateful to have him as my father, Dad, mentor, boss, and grandpa to my children. For those of you who know my Dad, I'm sure you can agree that he is a incredible person. He is the most unselfish human being I can think of.

I hope those of you that read this will understand how much I love my Dad. I hope you know and understand that I could in no way replace him in the work we do at his office. Many years from now, maybe he can consider retiring, but I'm sure I will continue to call him often to help with questions and advice.

My Dad is my hero

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