1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted, and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,541 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,181 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,441 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:18,461 --> 00:01:19,500 Speaker 2: Life Audio. 14 00:01:21,541 --> 00:01:26,121 Speaker 3: Good morning, evening, or afternoon, wherever you may be. 15 00:01:26,461 --> 00:01:32,771 Speaker 2: Welcome back, friends and loyal listeners, to Story Behind Podcasts. 16 00:01:33,441 --> 00:01:39,291 Speaker 2: encouraging stories, positive headlines from GodTube.com, where you can watch 17 00:01:39,351 --> 00:01:44,770 Speaker 2: without worry, and LifeAudio.com, where you can find the best 18 00:01:44,950 --> 00:01:50,951 Speaker 2: Christian podcasts available. One of our recent episodes, I brought 19 00:01:51,011 --> 00:01:56,321 Speaker 2: you some stories about fathers and sons. So today, I'm 20 00:01:56,841 --> 00:02:00,641 Speaker 2: sharing a couple stories about fathers and daughters, and they'll 21 00:02:00,681 --> 00:02:04,131 Speaker 2: be Right back with those stories after this message. 22 00:02:12,631 --> 00:02:13,150 Speaker 3: All right. 23 00:02:13,231 --> 00:02:17,511 Speaker 2: The father-daughter relationship, when it is right, is one of 24 00:02:17,571 --> 00:02:20,630 Speaker 2: the most rewarding things there can be. And we've got 25 00:02:20,671 --> 00:02:24,811 Speaker 2: two examples of that for you today. This first one 26 00:02:24,911 --> 00:02:28,131 Speaker 2: is by Heather Regelman. And I'm your host, Sean McAvoy, 27 00:02:28,171 --> 00:02:31,391 Speaker 2: sharing this story with you about A daughter who gave 28 00:02:31,451 --> 00:02:36,191 Speaker 2: her pilot father an emotional send-off on his final flight 29 00:02:36,251 --> 00:02:42,490 Speaker 2: before retiring. Grab a tissue and prepare to be in awe. 30 00:02:43,851 --> 00:02:47,401 Speaker 2: Because there are some moments that remind us success isn't 31 00:02:47,461 --> 00:02:52,601 Speaker 2: measured by titles or trophies. It's often measured by our 32 00:02:52,681 --> 00:02:55,681 Speaker 2: children who choose to walk in our footsteps because of 33 00:02:55,740 --> 00:03:01,681 Speaker 2: the way we loved them. Captain Jim Curtis. spent 43 34 00:03:01,681 --> 00:03:06,321 Speaker 2: years in aviation, with 21 years serving in the U.S. 35 00:03:06,421 --> 00:03:10,151 Speaker 2: Air Force followed by 22 years flying for Southwest Airlines. 36 00:03:11,550 --> 00:03:16,251 Speaker 2: But on his mandatory retirement flight at age 65, it 37 00:03:16,331 --> 00:03:20,791 Speaker 2: wasn't his remarkable career that brought him to tears. It 38 00:03:20,871 --> 00:03:26,831 Speaker 2: was the woman standing beside him, his daughter, Julia. Serving 39 00:03:26,971 --> 00:03:31,531 Speaker 2: as his first officer on his final flight, Julia surprised 40 00:03:31,571 --> 00:03:35,511 Speaker 2: her father with a heartfelt tribute over the aircraft's intercom 41 00:03:36,191 --> 00:03:41,021 Speaker 2: before takeoff. On top of becoming a pilot, he helped 42 00:03:41,161 --> 00:03:44,121 Speaker 2: teach me how to walk, how to talk, how to 43 00:03:44,181 --> 00:03:47,101 Speaker 2: ride a bike, how to throw a baseball, how to 44 00:03:47,401 --> 00:03:51,441 Speaker 2: drive a car, and probably most importantly, he taught me 45 00:03:51,501 --> 00:03:56,331 Speaker 2: how to carry myself with humility, kindness, and integrity in 46 00:03:56,591 --> 00:04:00,561 Speaker 2: and out of work, she said. Then came the words 47 00:04:00,641 --> 00:04:04,021 Speaker 2: that undid even a man who had spent decades keeping 48 00:04:04,081 --> 00:04:08,781 Speaker 2: his composure in the cockpit. She added, Captain Curtis is 49 00:04:08,881 --> 00:04:13,181 Speaker 2: also my dad. Cue the tears and grab a tissue. 50 00:04:14,681 --> 00:04:18,881 Speaker 2: Jim later admitted he struggled to hold back tears. I 51 00:04:18,941 --> 00:04:22,551 Speaker 2: spent 30 years trying to have a stern profile, he said, 52 00:04:23,151 --> 00:04:28,101 Speaker 2: but people noticed my lip quivering. Julia had dreamed about 53 00:04:28,181 --> 00:04:32,961 Speaker 2: sharing that final flight with her father for years. Growing up, 54 00:04:33,061 --> 00:04:36,391 Speaker 2: she watched him leave for work, never imagining one day 55 00:04:37,010 --> 00:04:41,611 Speaker 2: she'd sit beside him at 35,000 feet, honoring the man 56 00:04:41,651 --> 00:04:45,011 Speaker 2: who first taught her how to soar. She calls him 57 00:04:45,371 --> 00:04:50,681 Speaker 2: her greatest mentor, and it's easy to see why. When 58 00:04:50,861 --> 00:04:52,801 Speaker 2: asked what lessons stayed with. 59 00:04:52,681 --> 00:04:54,041 Speaker 3: Her the most.... 60 00:04:55,141 --> 00:04:58,641 Speaker 2: Julia shared the wisdom her father repeated throughout her childhood. 61 00:04:59,331 --> 00:05:02,431 Speaker 2: The two things you can control are your attitude and 62 00:05:02,451 --> 00:05:05,851 Speaker 2: your effort. If you show up with a positive attitude 63 00:05:05,971 --> 00:05:11,071 Speaker 2: and give a good effort, good things should follow. Heather says, 64 00:05:11,111 --> 00:05:12,751 Speaker 2: We spend so many years wondering. 65 00:05:23,891 --> 00:05:25,271 Speaker 3: if our children are listening. 66 00:05:26,731 --> 00:05:29,641 Speaker 2: We worry that the quiet lessons around the dinner table, 67 00:05:30,561 --> 00:05:34,421 Speaker 2: the rides to practice, the apologies, the prayers, and the 68 00:05:34,541 --> 00:05:40,061 Speaker 2: ordinary faithfulness are slipping past them. And every once in 69 00:05:40,101 --> 00:05:43,121 Speaker 2: a while, God lets us see the harvest in a 70 00:05:43,181 --> 00:05:46,541 Speaker 2: son or daughter who becomes the kind of person you've 71 00:05:46,561 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 2: been praying they would be. Jim's greatest legacy is wasn't 72 00:05:51,921 --> 00:05:56,351 Speaker 2: the 18,000 hours he spent in the air. It was 73 00:05:56,591 --> 00:06:00,851 Speaker 2: raising a daughter who learned to fly with the same humility, kindness, 74 00:06:00,991 --> 00:06:05,871 Speaker 2: and integrity she first saw in her father. Because the 75 00:06:05,911 --> 00:06:09,071 Speaker 2: highest calling of a parent has never been to build 76 00:06:09,111 --> 00:06:14,001 Speaker 2: a career. It's to leave footprints our children are grateful 77 00:06:14,041 --> 00:06:20,331 Speaker 2: to follow. I'm reminded of Proverbs 20, verse 7. the 78 00:06:20,371 --> 00:06:24,831 Speaker 2: righteous who walks in his integrity, blessed are his children 79 00:06:24,951 --> 00:06:29,851 Speaker 2: after him. You've got to see the photo and video 80 00:06:30,331 --> 00:06:33,741 Speaker 2: of the story that we cobbled this one together from 81 00:06:34,461 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 2: on this page, and you can find that at godtube.com 82 00:06:38,841 --> 00:06:39,581 Speaker 2: slash blog. 83 00:06:40,181 --> 00:06:42,321 Speaker 3: I'll be back with our second story in just a moment. 84 00:06:51,361 --> 00:06:55,441 Speaker 2: All right, we are back with our second special father-daughter 85 00:06:55,501 --> 00:06:58,781 Speaker 2: story of the day. And you may actually, those of 86 00:06:58,861 --> 00:07:02,601 Speaker 2: my generation and older, may recognize this as a celebrity 87 00:07:02,701 --> 00:07:08,871 Speaker 2: father-daughter story. This is from Julie Probost, and it is 88 00:07:08,931 --> 00:07:10,411 Speaker 2: about William Shatner. 89 00:07:10,591 --> 00:07:11,691 Speaker 3: Yes, a.k.a. 90 00:07:11,851 --> 00:07:16,671 Speaker 2: Captain Kirk and his daughter Melanie. They share how they 91 00:07:16,791 --> 00:07:22,621 Speaker 2: supported each other through cancer. Actor William Shatner has been 92 00:07:22,741 --> 00:07:24,061 Speaker 2: entertaining us for years. 93 00:07:25,481 --> 00:07:26,780 Speaker 3: You may know him. 94 00:07:26,721 --> 00:07:30,501 Speaker 2: Best as Captain Kirk from the original Star Trek series, 95 00:07:31,641 --> 00:07:34,381 Speaker 2: but he also had roles in TV shows TJ Hooker 96 00:07:34,621 --> 00:07:39,981 Speaker 2: and Boston Legal, as well as some popular commercials. Now 97 00:07:40,221 --> 00:07:45,861 Speaker 2: at 95, Shatner has been on a cancer-fighting journey after 98 00:07:45,901 --> 00:07:49,861 Speaker 2: being diagnosed with stage-borne malignant melanoma a few years ago. 99 00:07:51,331 --> 00:07:55,931 Speaker 2: A year before he was diagnosed, his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gresh, 100 00:07:57,111 --> 00:08:00,951 Speaker 2: was diagnosed with breast cancer. The two have been battling 101 00:08:00,991 --> 00:08:07,191 Speaker 2: cancer together, helping one another through. Three years ago, William 102 00:08:07,351 --> 00:08:11,531 Speaker 2: found a lump. At first, his doctor told him it 103 00:08:11,601 --> 00:08:15,361 Speaker 2: was a clogged salivary gland, but it started to grow. 104 00:08:16,801 --> 00:08:20,511 Speaker 2: He was then told it should be removed. It had 105 00:08:20,591 --> 00:08:24,771 Speaker 2: spread to my brain, the actor said. There were little 106 00:08:24,811 --> 00:08:27,551 Speaker 2: points of light in my brain and little points of light, 107 00:08:27,711 --> 00:08:32,251 Speaker 2: I think, in my lung. He was diagnosed with stage 108 00:08:32,251 --> 00:08:37,371 Speaker 2: 4 malignant melanoma. About a year before his own diagnosis, 109 00:08:37,471 --> 00:08:41,121 Speaker 2: Melanie Shatner-Gretsch, William's daughter, found a lump in her breast. 110 00:08:42,300 --> 00:08:45,841 Speaker 2: At first, she was told there was nothing concerning to 111 00:08:45,881 --> 00:08:49,420 Speaker 2: worry about. She questioned it, and it was a good 112 00:08:49,461 --> 00:08:53,910 Speaker 2: thing she did. It was a super aggressive kind of 113 00:08:53,951 --> 00:08:57,581 Speaker 2: breast cancer, and it had already escaped the breast wall 114 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:03,481 Speaker 2: and had gone into my chest, Melanie, 61, said. Melanie 115 00:09:03,540 --> 00:09:07,660 Speaker 2: had chemotherapy, 30 rounds of radiation, as well as a 116 00:09:07,841 --> 00:09:13,241 Speaker 2: double mastectomy and a year of immunotherapy. She was able 117 00:09:13,301 --> 00:09:15,810 Speaker 2: to lean on her father for support during this time. 118 00:09:17,751 --> 00:09:20,031 Speaker 2: I was just in one of those moments where you 119 00:09:20,071 --> 00:09:25,021 Speaker 2: want your daddy. You know, like, you're little, you're feeling 120 00:09:25,101 --> 00:09:29,001 Speaker 2: very little, and you're feeling this is really scary, she said. 121 00:09:30,681 --> 00:09:36,051 Speaker 2: While receiving a cancer diagnosis is not anything anyone would want, 122 00:09:36,851 --> 00:09:40,811 Speaker 2: having support and helping each other through it all is 123 00:09:41,071 --> 00:09:45,131 Speaker 2: a huge blessing for the two of them. Melanie shares 124 00:09:45,171 --> 00:09:48,331 Speaker 2: that her dad is a source of calm for her. 125 00:09:49,601 --> 00:09:52,801 Speaker 2: He got out of bed and drove over here, gave 126 00:09:52,841 --> 00:09:56,821 Speaker 2: me the bear hug, she said. He said to me, 127 00:09:56,841 --> 00:10:00,660 Speaker 2: this is just a blip in your life. You're going 128 00:10:00,681 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 2: to get past this. When Melanie got her first clear 129 00:10:05,421 --> 00:10:09,501 Speaker 2: PET scan and called her dad, it was only the 130 00:10:09,561 --> 00:10:15,141 Speaker 2: third time she had ever heard him cry. Thankfully, both 131 00:10:15,241 --> 00:10:21,381 Speaker 2: father and daughter are now cancer-free. I always felt that 132 00:10:21,421 --> 00:10:26,991 Speaker 2: somehow we would survive the actor shares. While we can't 133 00:10:27,051 --> 00:10:30,691 Speaker 2: stop a cancer diagnosis or any other horrible thing from happening, 134 00:10:32,041 --> 00:10:34,521 Speaker 2: we can depend on the people in our lives to 135 00:10:34,541 --> 00:10:40,051 Speaker 2: walk us through the process. We can be there for 136 00:10:40,111 --> 00:10:43,191 Speaker 2: those in our own lives who need the extra support. 137 00:10:44,651 --> 00:10:47,741 Speaker 2: We pray that both William Shatner and his daughter will 138 00:10:47,780 --> 00:10:52,221 Speaker 2: continue to have good health reports and continue to encourage 139 00:10:53,441 --> 00:10:59,771 Speaker 2: one another. I'm reminded of Jeremiah 33, verse 6. Nevertheless, 140 00:11:00,071 --> 00:11:03,471 Speaker 2: I will bring health and healing to it. I will 141 00:11:03,491 --> 00:11:06,771 Speaker 2: heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace 142 00:11:08,221 --> 00:11:13,201 Speaker 2: and security. This has been a special episode for me today, 143 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:17,461 Speaker 2: a father of a college senior daughter of whom I 144 00:11:17,561 --> 00:11:21,831 Speaker 2: am very proud, but she recently admitted to me that 145 00:11:21,891 --> 00:11:26,071 Speaker 2: she's having some struggles with the way women are sometimes 146 00:11:26,401 --> 00:11:31,011 Speaker 2: treated in our country, and that she's been struggling with 147 00:11:31,051 --> 00:11:36,151 Speaker 2: the news out of specifically Cornell University. And in searching 148 00:11:36,191 --> 00:11:39,281 Speaker 2: for something to share with her out of our very 149 00:11:39,381 --> 00:11:43,281 Speaker 2: encouraging relationship, I leaned. 150 00:11:43,261 --> 00:11:46,481 Speaker 3: On what my son and I grew up calling our man. 151 00:11:46,301 --> 00:11:51,761 Speaker 2: Creed, otherwise known as 1 Corinthians 16, 13, and 14. 152 00:11:53,801 --> 00:11:58,501 Speaker 2: be on your guard, stand firm in faith, be men 153 00:11:58,541 --> 00:12:03,401 Speaker 2: of courage, be strong, do everything in love. 154 00:12:05,121 --> 00:12:06,981 Speaker 3: It's not a very long list. 155 00:12:08,311 --> 00:12:10,811 Speaker 2: Sometimes the list we think of what it means to 156 00:12:10,971 --> 00:12:15,511 Speaker 2: be a real man is convoluted, includes so many things. 157 00:12:15,591 --> 00:12:19,151 Speaker 3: What if I don't like sports? What if I don't 158 00:12:19,191 --> 00:12:20,211 Speaker 3: like hunting? 159 00:12:20,591 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 2: Or what if I don't tend to gather and have 160 00:12:24,321 --> 00:12:26,841 Speaker 2: things in common with the other men in my Bible 161 00:12:26,881 --> 00:12:27,801 Speaker 2: study men's group. 162 00:12:28,701 --> 00:12:31,060 Speaker 3: Well, you know what? Those lists can be exhausting. 163 00:12:31,681 --> 00:12:36,821 Speaker 2: This list, standing firm in what you believe in, no 164 00:12:36,861 --> 00:12:39,401 Speaker 2: matter what you believe in, knowing why you're doing what 165 00:12:39,451 --> 00:12:43,511 Speaker 2: you're doing, being on guard against the temptations and lusts 166 00:12:43,571 --> 00:12:46,211 Speaker 2: that are so common to us, but also making sure 167 00:12:46,271 --> 00:12:49,561 Speaker 2: that no one is harmed on our watch. Being strong 168 00:12:49,601 --> 00:12:54,301 Speaker 2: and therefore aware of weaknesses in our lives and choosing 169 00:12:54,381 --> 00:12:58,541 Speaker 2: the virtuous side instead of the vice side of those coins. 170 00:12:59,861 --> 00:13:03,861 Speaker 2: Being strong and doing everything in love. What a motivation. 171 00:13:05,051 --> 00:13:07,671 Speaker 2: If that's going to be the reason why you get 172 00:13:07,731 --> 00:13:10,211 Speaker 2: up in the morning, you are going to succeed way 173 00:13:10,271 --> 00:13:12,611 Speaker 2: more than fail and fail others around you. 174 00:13:13,871 --> 00:13:15,411 Speaker 3: And I gave that as hope to my. 175 00:13:15,331 --> 00:13:18,741 Speaker 2: Daughter to be on the lookout for the real. Let's 176 00:13:18,801 --> 00:13:21,401 Speaker 2: all strive to be real men in our relationships with 177 00:13:21,621 --> 00:13:26,931 Speaker 2: our daughters, with our spouses, with those around us, with 178 00:13:26,971 --> 00:13:31,231 Speaker 2: our colleagues and coworkers, those who stand up and say, 179 00:13:31,491 --> 00:13:34,811 Speaker 2: not on my watch, and you are safe here, and 180 00:13:34,891 --> 00:13:37,911 Speaker 2: I will defend you, and I am on your team 181 00:13:38,171 --> 00:13:45,011 Speaker 2: no matter what. With those thoughts, I'm going to send 182 00:13:45,051 --> 00:13:49,550 Speaker 2: you off today. My name is Sean McEvoy. Thanks for 183 00:13:49,591 --> 00:13:54,271 Speaker 2: listening to the Story Behind podcast. I hope today's father-daughter 184 00:13:54,410 --> 00:13:58,761 Speaker 2: stories gave you hope and reminded you of the ways 185 00:13:58,821 --> 00:14:03,441 Speaker 2: God is still moving in the world around us. You 186 00:14:03,481 --> 00:14:05,681 Speaker 2: can visit the links in the show notes to find 187 00:14:05,721 --> 00:14:09,810 Speaker 2: the original articles, photos, videos, and any resources mentioned in 188 00:14:09,851 --> 00:14:15,431 Speaker 2: today's episode on the God Updates blog at GodTube.com. If 189 00:14:15,471 --> 00:14:18,291 Speaker 2: you enjoyed these stories, be sure to follow Story Behind 190 00:14:18,701 --> 00:14:21,971 Speaker 2: wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with someone 191 00:14:22,001 --> 00:14:25,751 Speaker 2: who could use a little encouragement. Story Behind is a 192 00:14:25,871 --> 00:14:32,911 Speaker 2: Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com. Thanks 193 00:14:32,971 --> 00:14:35,511 Speaker 2: again for joining me, and we'll see you next time 194 00:14:36,511 --> 00:14:37,511 Speaker 2: on Story Behind.