By son Jason
What makes a life? Is it the one with the most toys wins? Maybe it is riches and a luxurious lifestyle. Or could it be Love; giving, receiving, and sharing love?
For my dad, Dale Woodland, toys were never his priority. He always drove the cars he wanted to drive, always had his beach cruiser, a slalom ski, spear gun, surfboard, fishing pole, and a boat when he wanted a boat. I never heard him want for anything, he had what he wanted and ignored the rest.
From Alaska to the Florida Keys, from traveling America’s coast surfing to being 100 miles offshore fishing, and from scuba diving in Mexico to spearfishing Egmont Key and bodysurfing AMI, Dale took advantage of opportunities that enriched his life. He built a home in paradise and made a dream life he would never leave. If experiences in life, living exactly where and how you want to live count, then my dad was a very rich man. I never heard him say he wished he had gone somewhere he didn’t go or do something he didn’t do.
Dale loved people and people loved my dad. He once told me that my mother was the greatest woman he ever knew. His grandchildren were the apple of his eye. Dale saw unlimited potential in his grandkids and some of their lifelong cherished memories will be time they spent with their grandpa. He opened and shared his home to family, friends, and people he knew. My dad never missed an opportunity to make a person happy with a “Dale Burger.”
Dale was born in Canada and became an American citizen, and he loved America and the Constitution. And oh how he loved Anna Maria, so much so that he became your city commissioner so he could be of service. And last, but first, my dad loved God, his favorite part of the Bible was the Beatitudes, Matthew 5. These verses were always in his mind on how to be a better person, like he saw and respected in Phil Robertson and Sgt. York. I never heard my dad say he lacked love; he was filled with it.
For me, Dale was my dad. I saw him stand up to a man twice his size.
I saw his heart break when he lost his dog.
I saw him support his sons in their endeavors.
But what made his life to me and what will stay with me are the stories. My dad was a genius storyteller, and these are real stories, not fables. He had a gift of humbling himself and sharing these stories that would jerk a tear from your eye or have you full crying from laughter. He loved it because it made the listener happy. Dale had a fulfilled life and it showed in his stories. I never heard my dad say he wished he had done this or that in life, he was content.
Now my dad is with Our Father, finally satisfied in the Beatitudes, and experiencing more Love than humanly possible. Dad, I love you and I will see you again one day and I can’t wait to hear the stories you will have to tell.
