The Greatest Man I Know....

Glenn and Patty Alexander

My cousin Glenn passed away Friday, May 15th. Glenn actually was married my cousin Patty Greeley for 52 years and predeceased him.  It has honestly been several years since I last saw Glenn... Most of my memories of Glenn date back to when I was a youngster growing up.  I quiet, hard working, really nice guy.  I connected with one of his sons, Tim Alexander, via Facebook, when I learned he was an amazing musician because I ran across some of his recordings.  I have also found Tim to be an amazing writer.  I obtained the text that follows from a post where Tim's sister shared as a story titled "The Greatest Man I Know".  What a tribute, any man would be honored to have written about himself...  but Glenn, this is for you:

The Greatest Man I Know

The greatest man I know isn't famous and he isn't wealthy and if you didn't know him by face he would pass by you in the shopping mall; He’s not well traveled and not well read; but he is the greatest man I know. So let me tell you just a little about this great man.

The greatest man I know lives in the house he built for his family with his own hands; he still makes his own breakfast in the morning and now walks the hallways of his home steadying his uncertain balance with the very walls he built; he mows his lawn in small sections and afterward, he is known to sit under a tree in a “thinking chair,” sipping a ginger ale.

The greatest man I know is a rabid Syracuse basketball fan but has rarely attended home games opting to watch the Orangeman from home with this “SU” sweatshirt on and the TV volume way up high; while he enjoys sports of all kinds, he now mostly likes to attend the games played by his grandchildren. What a treat it is to see one of them score a goal or block a shot or hit that ball.

The greatest man I know has never measured wealth in terms of dollars but rather in terms of family; he counts his children, his grandchildren and all of their accomplishments as the “return on his investment.” And he is a very, very wealthy man.

The greatest man I know is a devoted and loving husband; he spent the last 20+ years of a 50 year marriage helping his wife deal with the infirmities of age, disease and depression never letting on that his needs were many and that these needs always came second to hers; so long as his “Patty” was cared for, he was a happy, secure and contented man.

The greatest man I know believes that his cup is more than half full even when it’s close to being empty; and he guards this sense of optimism like a gambler hopes for a good day at the poker table or the fisherman makes plans for a better day on the lake. He is the eternal optimist that we all wish we could be.

The greatest man I know has been in the St. Joseph’s Hospital ICU at least three times as a patient; he has endured open heart surgery, countless invasive medical procedures, hundreds of prescription drugs, and at least two strokes; he now goes to dialysis three times a week. In spite of this he has the most healthy and upbeat outlook on life in spite of his physical challenges and limitations.

The greatest man I know believes he has been blessed by this life; life hasn't worn him down, it has polished the rough spots away to reveal a purer sense of his true nature with a stronger appreciation for the world around him. He has become what I hope one day to be -- a great father, husband and man.

The greatest man I know is now living the “bonus days” we all get after life gives us a quick look at mortality. He doesn't talk about his faith in God – he doesn't have to, he lives that faith. The golden rule is a little more golden when this man applies it; and he doesn't worry about the details of faith because he knows where he is headed after this life is over and he doesn’t fear that step into the next room. He will be greeted well on the other side.

The greatest man I know doesn't always agree with me but he always tries to understand, guide and advise. He is a mentor, a role model, a motivator and a coach – and he has always been the best listener even if his
hearing wasn't so good.

The greatest man I know couldn't always afford to give his children everything they wanted but he made certain they had everything they needed; whether it was food on the table, a roof overhead, a used pair of cleats or a playable guitar. Mostly, he has given his children a faith in their own abilities and is a positive supporter of all of their endeavors.

The greatest man I know isn't a movie star, although his life would make for a great movie script. He isn't a famous athlete although he has this crazy wicked hook-shot no one can explain. And he isn’t an accomplished musician, though his harmonica playing has us all wondering from where he channels this talent. He could have been anything be wanted to be in life, but I think he would have still been the same man I know today.

In my lifetime, I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with many men -- college presidents, elected and appointed state officials, gifted educators, accomplished mathematicians and scientists, renowned artists and musicians and clergy -- many with national or international reputations. But the greatest man I know (or will ever know) is and has always been my father. For as long as I can remember he is the only man who I ever truly wished to be more like.