This is a letter (and a book) I gave to Kent days before he passed. I miss him so much.
Kent,
Without a doubt, you have been present for many of the proudest moments of my life. You have also been present for most of my least proud moments of my life. But you loved me through it all. That’s what great dad’s do.
Thank you for welcoming me into your home endlessly and feeding me and caring for me and letting us grow up in the world’s best life a kid could ever imagine. Your smile love and support is one of the most prominent things from my childhood and I love you so much for being that best friend’s dad—hell, almost my second dad for most of those years—and just a general good dude that we could always count on. I loved those nights on Christmas Eve when we would come down just in time for Lexi’s birthday at midnight and open something fun and amazing from your wine cellar. Learning the beauty of the great outdoors on our 4th grade gold mining trip. Classic. And I loved those nights we would drive all over Lamorinda and beyond decked out in our Cougars gear to cheer on Ev and whatever boy crush happened to be in the mix at that point. And don’t get me started about Halloween, or better yet, the famous holiday party! There’s no party like a Clayburn party. I mean honestly, what high school kid really wants to, and enjoys, spending time at their own parents’ holiday party. You’ve always been the coolest grown up I know.
And last but not least…the way you love your daughter is something all dads of daughters aspire to. As a parent, I now know that to be true.
When you write a letter like this, there will never be the right words to describe the impact someone has had on your life or how much you care about them. For me it is an impression that has been made deep in my soul. You are an incredible man—husband, father, friend, coach, businessman, humanitarian, and soul. I don’t have enough fingers to count the number of times I’ve heard you compliment your wife in a totally genuine and respectful way. I could never tally the number of times your son or daughter has talked about how incredible you are and how important you are to their lives. I have told more people than I know that “my best friend’s dad works for the CIA” and even if you didn’t I never want to know the truth. The love I feel for you and Constance is beyond words and I want you to know that you have been an incredible influence in my life—a friend—a parent—someone to trust in the most vulnerable times in my life—and the only other front door I felt like I never needed to ring.
This book is a favorite from my kids personal library. It reminds me of the love you feel even when loved ones are far away. I recently brought it out because I thought it would be relevant for the twins when they go to kindergarten. If it speaks to you, please feel free to pass it along to your granddaughter, daughter, whoever. Otherwise, enjoy it and know that you have touched so many people who will think of you fondly and often in all walks of life. People around the world will talk about you when they describe the word loyal, hardworking, enthusiastic, fun, athletic, easy going. They will talk about you as an honest hard working businessman. They will smile when they think of you as an influential coach, mentor, or male figure they needed at just the right time in their lives. And they will smile when they think of the love support and humor you provided in their lives and the joy that your aura exudes any time you walked in the room.
I know you know this but I will always be there for our Lexi Lou. I love you. Thank you so much. For everything.
All my love,
K.K.
