Well, hello, my friends and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast Monday Morning

Moments with John Leary.

This weekend marked the first Father's Day I've ever celebrated without my dad.

It was a bittersweet milestone filled with both gratitude for the way he shaped my life,

yet also an ache for his absence.

As I reflected on his legacy yesterday, it's not just his

laughter or strength or faith that I carry with me most vividly. It's the quiet, consistent

way he loved us. What I'm about to share with you right now is part of the longer eulogy that I offered for my dad's

service on Thursday. So this is just a piece of what I shared with almost 800 people gathered

to celebrate the life of this mighty man. Growing up, we knew dad love laughing, love life, loved his faith, and loved each of his kids as if they were his favorite.

We also knew that dad loved mom even more.

Many of us have probably heard the expression that states the best way a father can love his kids is to love

their mom. Well, dad loved mom. His eyes lit up when mom walked into the room. They were high school

sweethearts. And Denny was smitten with Susan Kilker immediately. She was and she remained an awesome catch.

As they got married, grew older, and started a family.

Dad savored treating mom as if she was the most important person in his life.

And she was.

Whatever little or big thing mom ever wanted, she knew all she had to do was say,

Oh, Danny, couldn't we please?

And whether it was a trip to Ted Ruse or an extra day on the vacation, mom knew that would strive to make it a reality for her. You see, dad sought to elevate mom's life by serving and loving her.

And for decades, this was our version of their love.

And then the Parkinson's disease prognosis shows up in their life.

...