Bitter/Sweet

There are other judges available, but I'd say words failed playwright Tracy Letts when he could only muster up, "it's bittersweet."

Thus, was his verbal reaction to winning a 2008 Pulitzer Prize for his play, "August: Osage Country." But what did he feel inside for the success of the play that was also the Broadway acting debut [Earlier: Father Fictions] of his dad, Dennis, who passed away in February, shortly after leaving the case.?

Actually, what does any child really feel when he or she wants to share joys or sorrows with the man who isn't there? And what can a father do about it?

Probably not too surprisingly, two very different legacies for children are created by a man of science and man of religion. But what joins them is that they are both creations the children can share ... and when they do a little bit of dad will always be with them.

Billy Graham, nearing the end of his life, created a model and context for daughter Ruth. Having lived a country music song — experiencing three failed marriages and her children's drug abuse struggles and teen pregnancy — she is now following in her father's ministry, traveling the country and preaching. She carries her dad's words in her heart ("We all live under grace and do the best we can.") and answers questions about her father in every church to which she takes her show.

A much less religious legacy is being created by Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor with pancreatic cancer who is devoting his remaining time to making movies for and playing with children Dylan, 6; Logan, 4; and Chloe, nearly 2 — in addition to being a bemused spectator as the lecture he created for them but gave to the CM community becomes a viral blockbuster. [Earlier: Death Be Not]. The hour-plus video, a lecture on life entitled Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, was his attempt to speak directly to his kids when they're older and he won't be there every day to provide the wisdom and comfort they'll seek.

A lot of words from everyone, but, ultimately, between father and child it's actions: words fail.

** Say enough to support your actions; and do enough to prove your words. **