the dailypic 6167 yr17 323 Training Wheels Off

My dad, Artie Rice, passed away late on August 17th, two days after his 81st birthday. A birthday we celebrated with him in his hospital room, where, for the first time in a long time, he had to listen to our versions of his stories instead of the other way around.

Whether he knew it or not, he was the greatest teacher I have ever had. I learned from him every day of my life—in ways he never even knew—right up until the end. I learned more about myself and him in the last seven days than I had in both of our lifetimes.

The lesson that has stuck with me the most is in this photo.

While looking for photos to share of Dad, I came across this one. I remember the day well. It was rare to see my dad sick and in bed, which is part of the reason this last week has been so hard on us. In fact, the first time I ever remember seeing my dad in bed sick was the day this photo was taken.

It was a weekend and I think he had the flu. He had also promised to take the training wheels off my big bike. They had been on far too long, but he hadn’t gotten around to it.

Instead of telling me maybe next weekend, he encouraged me to take a shot at doing it myself. He gave me permission to use his tools. So I did. And I never looked back. I can’t tell you what I was more excited about—the training wheels being off the bike or the fact that I got to use his tools on my own. My mom took this photo while my dad encouraged me from his bedroom window.

I spent the last week thinking of that lesson. Monday we bury my Dad.

https://www.haysfuneralhome.com/obituaries/arthur-rice-jr

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