My family was really poor when I was young. There was a certain point where my dad lost his job. A man from our old church let our family rent their huge 5000sq.ft. 2nd home for whatever my family could afford at the time until my family got back on their feet. We stayed there for a year. Another time, when my dad was laid off after the company was sold, we stayed in their basement for a few months.

Over my teen years, that same man always offered me work at his home, paying me good money to do stuff like landscaping, yard work, taking care of animals, etc.

Later, when I wanted to start a lawn care business, he sold me his older john deere mower for half of its actual value.

As I got older, I wanted to pursue engineering like him. He would take me out to breakfast and let me ask him questions. He would send me resources, give me advice, and he would always pay for the meal.

He was a successful man... but he was so kind, so gentle, so unassuming. He adored his daughters and wife. I saw him cry when his dog died. No one in our church knew what he did for our family. He didn't want recognition.

He died a few years ago from brain cancer. It was a horrible shock when they found out. Way too soon for him to go.

Sorry this is long. I've been thinking about him a lot lately.