The Great Matt or My Dad Walked On Water - Well Almost

Some memories seem to stay with you beyond the years and clutter of everyday

life. They remain vivid while others fade or disappear completely. Included in mine are
memories of my father that I seem to be able to relive in my mind as though they happened yesterday.

My dad came from a large family. He was not the oldest or the youngest but I am pretty sure he

was the one that commanded the most attention. He described himself to his own family as
The Great Matt and told us all that he would live to be 100.  Whenever he saw an opportunity to prove his self-proclaimed greatness and shake things up a little he would grab it.

One Sunday afternoon, at our home by the river, a weekend picnic was in full swing. We heard the sound of Dad's car pull up after a quick trip to the grocery store for Mom.  Everyone was standing
or sitting near the waterfront watching the boats and talking when suddenly he came running
toward us at full speed.  He let out a whoop and ran straight for the seawall.  No one could
believe he was going to jump in with all his clothes on.  He never hesitated or slowed down
and it looked like he was planning to run right across to the other side.  Suddenly his feet left the
ground and it was as if for a few seconds he was suspended in midair.  There was silence as  we
all watched him drop straight down and waited for the inevitable splash. Instead of a splash came the sound of a full grown man landing, no crashing, into a row boat.  The water level was about
4 feet below the top of the wall so no one could see the boat that somehow my dad knew was there.  We stood stunned at the sound but before we could reach the seawall he popped his head over the top grinning from ear to ear.

I will never forget how, in just a few seconds, he took us all on a wild and joyful ride from

disbelief to laughter. That was the Great Matt.  We lost him at age 52 and history would tell you that a great part of his life was very difficult, but he had survived and thrived. His legacy to us was a joyful heart that defied adversity and dared others to join him.
I only hope that I honor him and my Heavenly Father by seizing every opportunity to
to continue that legacy.  Defying the odds and sharing the truth that some may not see, to  move them from disbelief to joy.