This was my tribute to my parents on their 50^th Wedding Anniversary.

(Flip a 25 cents coin). I just flipped a 25 cents coin. Most of us probably know that this is done when trying to decide on something and you may be wondering what I am trying to decide. It would not matter if the coin landed on heads or tails. Rather it would be more important to know if I am using heads or tails to choose which way to go, this time. If I chose heads this time, next time it may be tails. Either choice is simply a different face, but of the same coin.

Today I am going to call my coin “My Parents.” One side I’m going to call mom and the other, dad. I will talk about three main things, the value of my parents to me, the face called mom and then the face called dad.

Let us first look at the denomination I call “My Parents.” What’s their value to me? Golden of course and it is not just because we are celebrating their golden anniversary. Mom and dad instilled Christian values that both keeps me grounded and caries me through the fluctuations of life. Their emphasis on being educated motivated me to earn multiple degrees and licenses. Also, their commitment to the family unit has served as a cherished model of how marriage should be for keeps. Today my wife and I have been married for over 14 years, and still counting.

Now lets us look at the side called mom. My keyword to describe mom is resilient. When I was about eight years old, and living in Trinidad, I showed mom a mouse, which she tried to block from running away with her hand. Unfortunately, the mouse was feeling suicidal and bit mom on a finger. “Ooo!” said mom as she pulled back to process the bite. Then in the next swift motion she grabbed the mouse by the tail and body-slammed it on the ground. Dead! I looked at mom in worship and amazement as I thought “My mom is a ninja!” I still marvel at that move today.

On another occasion I asked mom to help me solve a Math problem I had while in middle school. She encouraged me to figure it out on my own. This was one of the best things she did for me. This seed of resourcefulness enabled me to solve many challenges big and small since then. Otherwise, resilience enabled me to bounce back from those unfortunate outcomes.

Now let us look at the side called dad. My keyword to describe dad is visionary. When I was about 15 years old, the leader of Crusaders, left out of frustration with the lack of attendance. Crusaders is a semi-military organization designed for churches. Dad pinged me to take on a leadership role, but I didn’t want to lead because I felt I was too young, and I just wanted to be a teenager. He challenged me by saying among other things, “You would be good at it.” He added, “Who else is going to do it?” Weeks later I became knighted as a captain. I was responsible for operations as well as training in drill and ceremonies for young people from about ages 8 to 18 years old. After we left the new leader, who was a junior in the program when I was there, summarized her perspective of my leadership by saying, “Johnny, nobody could run Crusaders like you.” That military leadership seed grew and blossomed into me becoming an officer in the United States Air Force. Before my honorable discharge I planned and led both projects and people.

I remember many times excitedly reporting to dad how well I did in my grades. He would light up and laugh with delight. His superior quality of fatherly support inspired me to strive for not just the minimum but to be among the top. I am sure this mindset was part of dad’s vision for my future.

Mom and dad, today I celebrate you! You will aways be a valuable currency in my life, no matter which side I flip to. I love and cherish you both. Happy 50^th and golden Anniversary!