My best guess for the hardest day of the World Race for racers to be on the field is tomorrow. Everyone wishes inside that they could be home with their family eating a Christmas feast if only for the day. That’s not the case for me. Today is the hardest day not because it’s Christmas Eve but because it’s the birthday of my best friend, my dad. My old man isn’t actually that old but today he turns 51. Take away the grey whiskers in his goatee and the groan noise he makes when standing up and you would never know that he is over 50. I wouldn’t assume that most 23 year old males claim their father as their best friend but I can’t see any better way to describe him. A best friend is someone who you can always count on, who always wants what’s best for you, and who is willing to make sacrifices for you. Sounds like Mr. Douglas Lezman to me! An amazing part about him is I have grown up with the perfect example of what a Godly man looks like. I’ve watched him as he has fathered me and my brother with the mentality of raising us with Christ like principles. I’ve watched him be a Godly spouse in the way that he loves my mom. I see how he leads those who work for him with respect and integrity just as Christ would. I’ve observed his passion for the deep meanings in scripture which has grown into a passion of my own. However, the best thing about him is how he has showed me that he loves me. Every time he threw the ball back while we were playing catch, he was telling me that he loves me. Every time he helped me put oil in my car, he was telling me that he loves me. Every time he asked me to go golfing or to go fishing, he was telling me that he loves me. Every time he sat and listened to me ramble about whatever just popped in my head, he was telling me that he loves me. I’ve experienced unconditional love from my earthly just as I do from my heavenly father. This is why my dad is my best friend. I love you more then Todd Hoffman loves a new trommel! Happy birthday dad, thank you for being you.
