Many times in life we don’t realize who is in our lives, and the important role they play in our lives, until they are no longer there.   It is so easy to go by day after day and go through the same routine, with no conscious thought as to how others in your life might be doing or what they are going through.   No matter what you are going through at any time in your life, always know there probably is someone going through tougher times in their life.   Do not take these people for granted, because someday they might not be there as is the case of Millard Fuller.   Now most of you are asking who is Millard Fuller?   I will tell you.   He is a true father to the development of good, affordable housing in this country to people who have fallen on hard times or can not afford the luxury of owning their own home.   He, my friends, was the founder of Habitat for Humanity.

Millard Fuller died on February 3rd at the age of 74.   But what a life this guy lived.   He made his first million at the age of 29 as an attorney but felt was relatively unsatisfied with life.   He felt a deeper calling and he decided to build houses for those you could not afford to achieve that dream by themselves.   He officially became the founder of Habitat for Humanity in 1976 and since that time over 500,000 people have been living in Habitat homes.   All because one guy didn’t like the way his life was going.   As most of you know now Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide organzation operating in many countries on this great Earth providing the hope and the dream of connecting families for generations through good, affordable housing.

You see, while Mr. Fuller collected numerous awards for his achievements through Habitat for Humanity (notably the Norman Vincent Peale award and the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian award), I had no idea who Mr. Fuller was until learning of his passing and I am trying with all my might to raise $1 million for his charity.   The point is I don’t think for one second Millard Fuller did this for any other reason than because his heart spoke to him.   He answered a calling rather loudly and forcefully and his legacy is one for the ages. When my Dad passed away I knew I needed to do something to turn horrific tragedy into something positive.   I answered the call of many sleepless nights which turned into a reflection of focusing on the positive parts of our relationship together.   Writing I Miss My Dad… is a tribute to all sons and daughters who have lost a loved one.   My Dad always believed in such a strong commitment to community service.   He believed true happiness was achieved by unconditionally serving others.   Habitat for Humanity was his favorite charity and thus the lofty goal of raising $1 million dollars for Habitat.   Why $1 million?   Why not?   If you’re going to dream, dream big, just like Millard Fuller did.   And look at the manifestation of his dreams.   Pretty good, huh?

Maybe the next time any of us question what’s really important in life we should listen to the “founding father” of Habitat for Humanity, Millard Fuller, a role model and example to all of us to lead and listen with an open heart, open mind and most importantly open ears.

Always a friend to listen,

Eric Tomei