May the Lord Jesus Christ be with the Bigalke family at this time and forevermore.

What is the measure of a man? Is it the amount of money he has? The possessions he owns and the power he holds? Is it the professional success he’s achieved over the years?

I don’t believe it is any of these things. The true measure of a man is how much love he gives; how selflessly he shares whatever he can to help others; how consistently he lifts up those around him with a kind word, a funny joke, a compliment, a humble ear or the very shoes off his feet.

By this measure, my Dad was immeasurable.

I lost my Dad. But only in body, not in spirit. This is by far the most painful and heart-ripping and life-altering experience I’ve endured.

But I do my best to remain grateful and comforted knowing how much my beloved Dad positively affected the lives of others.

He was the most sincere person I have ever known with no attachment to material things — he would literally give you the clothes he was wearing. All you had to do was mention you liked something and he would immediately insist on giving it to you

How many times did I have to tell my Dad, ‘No, I don’t need anything, Dad, I’m good. Keep it for yourself.’

My Dad absolutely loved to make people laugh. All he ever wanted to do was make other people feel comfortable and make sure they were not feeling left out. I know it’s because he knew what it was like to feel left out. He grew up poor and had to borrow clothes from the school’s lost and found. He was teased by kids. He was abused by family members. He was mistreated throughout his life in so many ways. And as he got older, he always rooted for the underdog, because he knew what it felt like to be that person. To be the one overlooked and underestimated.

And while his flaws were evident and he didn’t always handle emotions or adversity in the most productive way, he did the best he knew how given his experiences and circumstances.

It has been a true lesson for me to see that just because you are imperfect doesn’t mean you can’t embody perfect love.

My Dad left an impact on every person he met, even strangers. The love my Dad spread on this Earth continues to grow and will live on, and that is the ultimate measure of any human being.

I love you, Dad. Now and forevermore.