Last weekend, I took my 92-year-old dad to the mall. At the food court, he noticed a teen with brightly colored spiked hair. The boy jokingly asked, \u201cNever done anything fun in your life?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad calmly replied, \u201cI didn\u2019t color my hair, but I tried to brighten the world with kindness, respect, and joy. Express yourself however you like\u2014just remember your character shines brightest.\u201d<\/p>\n
The teen softened, whispered \u201cthank you,\u201d and Dad went back to eating. I was amazed\u2014appearances may catch the eye, but character leaves the deepest impression.<\/p>\n
Later, when my husband repeatedly missed our baby\u2019s ultrasounds, I followed him, fearing the worst. To my surprise, he was attending a support group for parents who have lost a child, quietly processing grief I hadn\u2019t known he carried.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"