Yesterday, I received a beautiful, handwritten note from someone I haven’t talked to in years. He had heard about my dad’s death, read about his life and it stirred something in him – a question that keeps tugging at his heart strings:
My dad, Dr. Peter Benson, was truly a bright light in the world; helping kids thrive and inspiring communities to rally around their youth was his life’s mission. God, how I miss our intense conversations about ideas, strategies and success stories.
Despite huge coups – from White House dinners to sharing his work with the Dalai Lama – he was incredibly humble. So many times, he’d waltz into our house for a family gathering with his latest book tucked under his arm, already inscribed to us. He’d set it on the table or stick it on a shelf, just to make sure we had a copy – no fanfare, no boasting.
Since his death, our family has been so touched by so many beautiful tributes, heartfelt letters and touching anecdotes about my dad – a compassionate, charming, quirky dude who left behind such a grand legacy. He was insatiably curious and incredibly compassionate. He saw the good in everyone – every kid, every grownup – and knew we were all capable of greatness.
To know that, in retrospect, his life is now inspiring others to question their purpose in the world is such a great blessing. He would be {and surely is, somewhere out there} so excited about that.
{Photo Credit: Kai Worrell, taken during a moment of tribute to my dad at this week’s TEDxTC event}
Behind every amazing woman is an equally amazing father! I know this to be true. And isn't it wonderful when you can literally inhale his presence and let his life pour onto your canvases? Your work is now his life in living color.
I was fortunate to have my dad until he was 83. Your father is only 3 years older than I am! He was much too young to leave this world. Please know that during this week of giving thanks that I am grateful not only for my father but for yours as well.
I wish I could give you a big hug right now, Liv. Thinking of you and your family during this time of grief.
what a beautiful legacy he left;
what a beautiful one you're building:)
-Jen
Oh Liv,
How fortunate you are to have had this wonderful man in your life, and to have had him as your first, and lifetime, teacher.
I started reading “Vision…” on the Amazon “look inside” section, and was so drawn in that I’m continuing it on my Kindle. In the first chapter he quotes so many of the people that I admire that I just know I am going to love learning what I can from his books.
Thank you for sharing him with us; I’m not sure that I would have heard of him otherwise, and I know I will be better for it.
xo, Anita