August 13, 2014
It has been ten years.
Dad you have not been here to see my success. Dad you were always so proud of me, no matter what I did, you always made me feel like a winner. You cheered at my every success, but when the greatest success came...you were already gone.
But I know you are not gone.
I know that you have been with me every step of the way, you cleared every pebble from my path. You picked me up when I was down. You raised me up so I can see that problems and obstacles were only challenges, ones that I could easily overcome. Because I am your son.
You made me strong.
You made me strong enough to stand up to all my adversaries. You taught me that every success breeds jealousy. You prepared me for every storm.
As I travel the world, as I climb on the plane, I know you are with me. You are sitting next to me. We share this journey and we share this success.
I could not do it without you.
There have been great successes Dad. I taught the guards of the president of Ukraine, I taught guys who were the top athletes of Russia and Ukraine, I stood in front of US Special Forces!
I have been all over the world.
And I remember your words, back then in Savyon, "Son, you will have to learn to fight your own battles".
I remember your words always. To dream the Impossible Dream!!!
We never give up. You never gave up.
I am strong because I am on your shoulders.
You are my hero and you give me the strength to overcome anyone who dares stand in my way. And together we help, we help thousands of people all over the word and we spread truth, and justice, as is your way.
You spent your life giving.
Dad, we walk side by side, I never forget that. I fear no man, because I know you are with me and you trained me to be proud. No son of yours shall ever be pushed around, ever!
I shall stand in front of kings and fear not.
Your blood flows within me, no wall is too high, no obstacle too great.
The true success of IKI Krav Maga comes from you. You raised me up so I can stand on mountains...on stormy seas. To dream that impossible dream.
When I think of you my heart swells with pride. My dad, the athlete, the scholar, the baseball player, the football player, the rabbi, the best father a boy could ask for.
I know you are here, I know it, sometimes I can even hear your voice. But more than that I know that you have given me all I need, all the tools to handle anything that can come my way. No one can stand in my way. Because that is the way you raised me. I am your son.