As I had mentioned in last month’s column, I’ve transitioned to making the decision to not participate in next year’s Minnesota State Fair. And as I said in that writing, I was nervous to tell my family members and wondered what their reaction would be to that decision.

 

I also wondered if my dad — who passed away two years ago — would be disappointed too.

 

Well, I got reassurance from my family that it was going to be okay and I also got the nod from my dad who visited me this year and got his picture drawn.

 

You must be thinking, “What did he just say?” 

 

“Is he off his rocker?”

 

“Didn’t he say his father had been dead two years?”

 

If you believe in an afterlife and heaven than you believe in angels and the power of God to give you sign from above.

 

On about the second or third day at the fair this year, a lady guided an old man up to my booth’s chair and had him sit down to get his caricature drawn. He was probably in his 70s, was grey-haired and had a beard. He was wearing an Irish tweed hat.

 

And when he looked up at me he smiled. It was my dad’s face!

 

This man not only looked remarkably similar to my dad in almost every facial and body feature, he had an identical personality. Silly, amusing, charismatic and cracking jokes. 

 

Just like my dad.

 

I was stunned. I told the woman who was his caretaker he looked and acted just like my dad who died just two years ago. She didn’t even acknowledge how impactful it was to me. I looked back at the man in the chair and he looked at me from the side of his eyes with a grin that made me feel my dad was right there.

 

I could barely get the picture drawn.

 

After he left, my oldest sister, Susie and her husband Bill, stopped by and I looked at them and said, “Dad was just here.”

 

They could tell right away what I meant and Bill said, “Somebody who looked like Bill (my dad) was just here?”

 

And I said “yup” with a lump in my throat.

 

I knew right then, my dear  dad had left his place in heaven for those few minutes to tell me in his own special way he was okay with my decision to move on from the state fair.

 

Thanks dad. I enjoyed our visit. I hope you like your picture. Thank you.

 

As most of you probably know, I work in Becker but live in Orrock Twp. Terri and I have called “Big Lake” our home since 1995 and love the community we live in.

 

Since I started at the Citizen Newspaper over a half-dozen years ago, I’ve grown to appreciate the City and Township of Becker and all the area has for its citizens.

 

For instance, Becker has an incredible school system, park system, community center, golf course and business development. It has a well-functioning government that has been fiscally responsible and its police and fire departments have been outstanding in providing essential protection and life-saving achievements second to none.

 

I remember when I first started working here in Becker, they used their city motto, “Minnesota’s Best Kept Secret”. I haven’t seen that motto used much lately but have to agree with the sentiment.

 

This place is a gem.

 

This city and surrounding areas are special and my hope is the people of this community realize that and keep that mindful when they make decisions for Becker’s future at next month’s election.

 

Instead of getting rid of the golf course, instead of trying to get rid of the police and fire departments, instead of trying to get rid of certain teachers and/or classes — appreciate what you have and do all you can to keep them.

 

That’s what makes this area so special. It’s diversity.

 

That’s what makes Becker Minnesota’s Best Kept Secret.