My dad was the most wonderful man I knew growing up and in many ways still is today. I have always admired him as early on as I can remember.

He told me that one day I would thank God for him - and he was right. Many times since then I have done just that and I don’t believe I will ever stop.

He was the best example of generosity that I can think of and yet he never acted unwisely with his propensity to give to others. He knew how and when to give and he gave just the right amount at every opportunity.

There were many different people that came into his office in Rome: Rubenstein the great Jewish pianist, Steve Reeves the body builder and at one time he knew the Prime Minister of Italy and head of the Central Bank.

Dad felt he had a great responsibility in raising my brother and me. Something he did not want to miss completing in his life. He never refused any request I ever made to him except for one time when my mother intervened exercising unexpected veto power. It was because he had promised to buy me a motorcycle and my mother predicted there would be problems if he did. At first he listened to mom, but he later capitulated and brought me to the store where without further ado he bought me the motorcycle he had promised years before. All this occurred, because he was a man of his word. He kept his oath even when it hurt.

I can still remember his demeanor when he went with me to buy the Benelli. I could detect reluctance, but at the time I was too focused on pleasing myself to be able to pass on the opportunity. I acted selfishly.

Sure enough there were many problems, with even others besides myself, after we picked up that motorcycle.

Some, but not all are described in the story on how I became a believer.