I sit here pondering what message I could share today that would motivate and inspire others to live their lives differently. What could I say to touch deep within your soul and give you the desire to accept the message I have? Then it came to me…. The reason for my heavy heart is the real message for today. Yes, it means that I get to again be raw and real and vulnerably share with you, but if you know me you know that that is exactly what I do on a regular basis.
Three Years ago today on October 22, 2016 my brother-in-law, Wade Fox died after a valiant fight with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was just 54 years old. This was not a sudden death. It was not unexpected. In fact, he had been diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease 18 months prior to his passing. Before his diagnosis he was healthy as a horse. He had always been the strongest man in the room and able to do more than anyone else. He ate healthier than most people and lived a life full of exercise and movement.
As his illness progressed, we watched him wither away and become unable to speak or swallow, unable to do all for himself, unable to hold up his own head and yet, even in his final hours, full of dignity, love and grace, he was still serving others. He led a life full of service and was happiest when serving someone in need.
If you knew Wade at all, you would say he was a man of Spirituality, Courage, Commitment, Service, Strength, Hard work, Love and Honor. He was a man of true GRIT! A TRUE man of God. He served others constantly and never asked for anything in return. He did more than a good deed daily and found ways to serve always. I consider him to be one of the hardest workers I have ever known. He was the first to show up and the last to leave when there was a project to be done, a scout camp to have, a 
neighborhood project, a party to have or a major event to tackle.
Wade had always been an icon for youth and adults alike. You could hear it often said, “When I grow up, I want to be like Wade Fox.”
I cannot even begin to tell you the many capacities that this great man served in; be it in the Scouting organization, the Dairy industry or in serving his God through his church. He was on numerous Boards and Leadership positions everywhere. Service was his entire being! But the parts that I want to also bring to light are the “behind the scenes” times when you always could see his heart and soul.
He would show up to a family get together and play with all the kids, mash the potatoes, be the last one to fill his plate and the first one washing dishes. He hugged everyone there and it was his big tight bear hug that made you wonder if your ribs were going to break. His presence was known everywhere he went. He left you better than he found you every time you saw him. 
He was the biggest giver I have ever known. When Wade Fox showed up, he SHOWED UP!
Let me put this into a bit of perspective for you. At this point in his illness he could not speak or swallow. He was so weak that he could not even hold his own head up. Breathing was next to impossible, yet he sat in his chair, had his dear wife assist him to prop up his head and with atrophied hands and one letter at a time was emailing others with encouraging words. He was building them up, strengthening them, teaching them and loving them. He was teaching all of us what it means to put others before ourselves. To stand for Truth and Righteousness and to fight our battle with everything we can muster within us! To hold to the 
rod and be Christ-like in all that we do.