Infinity

Everyone knows Bill Johnson one way or another. Some have "classic" Bill Johnson stories. Others have experienced the Bill Johnson heart to heart chats. I've stopped being surprised when random people come up and tell me what a legend my dad is, how they want to be just like him when they grow up, or some other variation on "the greatest man that has ever lived." Truth be told, my dad meets a lot of people. He has a lot of things to remember. He doesn't always remember my age, what classes I was taking in school, or who my current friends are. But without fail, every time I tell him I ran into someone that knows him, he remembers exactly who they are, what they've been up to and any challenges they've been facing.

I think what makes any relationship so special is that it's uniquely yours. Only you have those experiences, talks, memories, with that person. They are yours alone to cherish. My dad has a lot of relationships with a lot of people; if you pieced them all together you might be able to get a more complete picture of what an inspiration he is.

My own unique relationship with my dad can be summed up by the following conversation we'd have when I was little:
"I love you dad."
-You do? How much do you love me?
I cock my head to one side as I think..."I love you soooo Much!" thinking of the biggest number I know..."I love you a billion times!"
-You do? Thanks Girlie, but I love you more!
My bill Johnson competitive instinct kicks in..."Well I love you...INFINITY times!!" there. I won.
-Wow! That's a lot! But I still love you more!

What beats infinity?! Honestly. I still haven't found out the answer to that. Most people know what my dad does for a living, that he's incredible at his job, honest in his opinions and a great listener. What they don't know is that after a long day of work, he'd come tuck us in individually at night, and tell us a story. He could recite and sing the entire Wizard of Oz from memory, slanting his mouth to sing the Lollipop guild song (my personal favorite) and do an expert imitation of the munchkins. When it wasn't the wizard of Oz, he made up stories about the biggest sailboat race of all time, little Lauren against Captain Blackbeard, the most dreaded and ruthless pirate ever to rule the seas. Of course, my tacks were faster than the best pirate in history, but it was always a close race right up to the end.

As I got older, my dad coached every sport and team I played on, to win the championship. He read books, painted a basketball court on our driveway and loaded up on the latest sports gear. When we moved to Utah and discovered that little leagues didn't believe in keeping score, my dad had parents record stats. When we went undefeated and won the "championship" game, he had trophies made for our team. At home he has a huge cabinet, filled with trophies, and not just those of his kids. There isn't a sport that Bill Johnson isn't good at. In fact, you actually get a trophy if you can beat him at something. Unfortunately for me, he appears to be aging backwards, and this is proving to be quite the challenge.

He's taught me how to get what I want, to be ambitious, loyal, committed and to fight like hell. My life echoes with his advice- "always surround yourself with people better than you are" and "always be where you are supposed to be and good things will happen to you." More importantly, he's taught me through his priorities. Family, church and service has always, and will always come first. So many mornings I woke up at the crack of dawn to the sound of his truck, heading out to go plow the driveways of the elderly and others that were snowed in. Now he drives around with a big chain in the back of the car, offering his own roadside assistance to anyone that looks to be in need. He's taught me that above all, life is a team sport, and your biggest rewards come not from your own success, but in being generous with your time, talents and money to help others achieve theirs'.

It's a well known fact that actions speak louder than words. It doesn't take much to see that everything he does-including his latest mission to eliminate goldfish in our pond (hint: think high powered speargun and scuba tank) shows he puts 200 percent into everything he does. Nothing gets in his way. Go big or go home.

Father's day comes but once a year. But I hope that for me, my dad's legacy lives every day of the year, through my actions, choices and words, and the love I show towards those around me. You know the old saying, "like father, like son." I couldn't be more proud to point out that "like father, like daughter" is equally true. Through every point in my life you've been there for me dad-giving amazing guidance and advice, easing my burdens and showing me the wonders life offers. You make the impossible, Possible. I love you, more than infinity.

Girlie