I don’t have the words to fully express my family’s and my own gratitude, but that won’t stop me from trying. Our dad was our constant. We always knew that if we needed him, he was there. Even in his final days, he pushed through pain to be there for us, waiting patiently as we said what we needed to say, making sure we felt heard. He never once asked, "Why me?" Instead, he offered up his suffering daily for his family and friends—each of you.
My dad was incredibly humble, and he never wanted to ask for help—not out of pride, but because he knew that everyone carries their own crosses. In this last month, you all moved your own crosses to one shoulder and took up ours on your other. There was no greater consolation than standing in a room with many of you, knowing that, outside of my own family, there were people who understood just how special my dad was and who cared deeply for him.
Thank you. Thank you for being his friends, and thank you for helping us carry this cross.
I leave you with the piece of advice my father most often shared with me. I hope it helps you as much as it has my siblings and I:
"Don’t do stupid stuff."
With love and appreciation,
Paul Massell's family
My dad was incredibly humble, and he never wanted to ask for help—not out of pride, but because he knew that everyone carries their own crosses. In this last month, you all moved your own crosses to one shoulder and took up ours on your other. There was no greater consolation than standing in a room with many of you, knowing that, outside of my own family, there were people who understood just how special my dad was and who cared deeply for him.
Thank you. Thank you for being his friends, and thank you for helping us carry this cross.
I leave you with the piece of advice my father most often shared with me. I hope it helps you as much as it has my siblings and I:
"Don’t do stupid stuff."
With love and appreciation,
Paul Massell's family
