My book “A Change of Habit” is dedicated to my parents who were with me every step of my journey. My father’s name is Ray Joseph Ptak (initials RJP). I am honored to bear his name as my middle name “Rae”, Patricia Rae. Before my dad passed over to the other side, we often talked religion and spirituality. One day I made him promise that after he died that he would come back in some way and be in communication with me letting me know that he was OK. He said he would try. And he did! As Father’s Day is approaching I wanted to share that story. Joe and I were on our morning walk making our way through the Biltmore Hotel parking lot on our way to breakfast. My eye was pulled to one particular parked car with the personalized license plate reading three lonely initials: “RJP” My heart started to pound thinking of my father. Before I could speak I took three more steps and there parked about 5 cars down was another car with the license plate “RAEBABY”. Before I could catch my breath, a third car drove by with a “Nebraska Cornhusker” license plate frame. If you knew my dad, he oozed Big Red Blood, religiously following the Nebraska Cornhusker’s football team. Needless to say I was overwhelmed with emotion knowing only good old dad would pull that one off bringing those 3 cars together in a matter of 10 seconds. I got the message. Dad is right here, right now with me communicating that he is indeed OK. So if your dad isn’t with you this Father’s Day, look for him, listen for him, and know that he is with you. Don’t wander through this parking lot of life thinking that they are gone…..merely changed. Happy Father’s Day, Dad…..wherever you are!
