The world lost a great man, as Maxx Fairbanks was called up to Heaven on Christmas Eve.  It was deeply ingrained in his nature to capture moments in time, and no one I know was better at it than my dad.  He was compelled to photograph this beautiful earth and the beautiful souls walking upon it. To foster great memories and create snap shots in time for others, so they could appreciate their lives, and ultimately to motivate them to "count their Blessings" and never forget the great gift of life.

To have this man as my father is one of the greatest gifts God could ever give, as capturing moments and reminding me to count my blessings was just one of his many magnificent qualities.  Those who knew him well fully understand he had a unique wisdom, and if you were lucky enough to fall into his magical orbit he would selflessly share this wisdom with you which was often administered in many forms.

A great irony as I sit here on Christmas morning, I find it difficult to memorialize him in words, certainly not for lack of content but for lack of my ability to sort through an avalanche of stories he told Paige and me over the years.  I can't do it justice, but this I tell you, his sense of humor was legendary and his talents were many!  To find humor in the mundane is one thing, but to find humor in tragedy is taking things to another level.  It was always an attempt to cheer you up and help you find your own wisdom in the moment.  The incredible laughter he provided got us through some very tough times and we are eternally grateful.  He loved our mom Diana more than anything, and to raise two children after she passed with such composure and love was no easy feat.

He probably wouldn't want me writing any of this, let alone posting it, but in typical Fairbanks rebellious disobedience I throw caution to the wind in exchange to remind everyone on this beautiful Christmas to never forget him.  He wouldn't want you to mourn, in fact he tossed Paige and me this final lesson the day before he passed.   He knew he was going to see Jesus and he wasn't afraid, not in the slightest.  In this old house we were raised in we find over a thousand books he read, and 26 bibles with notes and highlighted scripture.  He was never one for money, he saw through that charade, nor was he one to take orders.  His currency was always patience, laughter, blessings, family and sacrifice.  It wasn't until I was older that I was able to look back on one of his most epic qualities, and that was his ability to not judge others.  He could look past the greatest deficiencies in people and only see the good in them…..much easier said than done.

Paige and I will spend the rest of our lives trying to instill in our families his lessons as he loved Reynaldo, Matt, Joan, Victoria, Peyton and my son Maxx so much.  Time is fleeting, use it wisely, never forget what's truly important and as he would always say, "Thank the Man Upstairs, say your prayers to Jesus Pal".

Tell your family and friends you love them, find laughter where others can't, stay positive, remain patient and don't be afraid.

Have a Merry Christmas and raise a glass in cheer to Maxx who was blessed to take a one way ticket to be with Jesus!

Baker Funeral Home Valley Center. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com