When I was a little kid, I used to think it was amusing to tromp around in a pair of my dad's cowboy boots and pretend that I was a "real cowboy, just like my dad." The boots were, of course, so ridiculously large that my entire leg would easily fit inside. I would often trip and fall down, giggling at the silliness of the moment. When that happened, Dad used to grin at me in a way that made me feel like I was definitely the most important person in the entire world.
I remember my first day of pre-school, when I absolutely insisted on putting together my own outfit. A lavender frilly dress, extra frills, please, and my own brown leather cowboy boots. I saw my sister wear a similar get-up to school sometimes, and it was pretty clear to me that boots go with any outfit. As I grew older, that belief only became stronger and stronger. Boots go with leather vests when riding a motorcycle. Boots do just fine when exploring all the finery that Europe has to offer. Boots go with colorful Hawaiian shirts when teaching a class on Lincoln. Boots go with all manner of wedding attire. Boots can even go with hospital gowns, in a pinch.
That my dad fancied himself a cowboy should not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever known him, let alone anyone who has had a conversation with him for 5 minutes. You see, cowboys love this country. They love the way the land sculpts itself into a complicated but perfect blend of mountains and rivers and fields of waving grass. They love watching the skies light up at night with a million twinkling little stars. They love talking to Americans, and learning from them, and just being with them. There is an easiness with cowboys that can't be found in other mortals. They are comfortable in their own skin, in their boots, and in their purpose. They talk slowly and emphatically, offering deep wisdom to anyone who is even the slightest bit interested. They find an immense amount of pleasure in working hard all day for their beloved country, and then coming home, slumping into an old leather chair, and taking their boots off. That feeling is so delicious that few things compare to it.
My dad the cowboy has taken his boots off for the last time.
This heartbreak that I feel right now is as large and rugged as America itself. I always knew that's how it would happen. The greater the love, the greater the loss. For so many Americans from all corners of this great land, there is an America-sized hole in our hearts tonight as we mourn the loss of one of the finest men to ever walk this lovely country. To some of us, he was a father, a friend, a colleague, or a beloved member of the family. But to every single one of us, he was first and last a teacher. We are all better for having known him, learned from him, and studied with him. Dad was the kind of person who got inside you and stirred your soul. He made you believe that there is something extraordinary and powerful about loving something so much. It transforms you, if you let it, and leaves you breathless in the best of ways. He let no one leave his presence without becoming a better person. He moved us the way that a strong wind carries a flower petal - easily and without trepidation.
One of the things that is truly astounding to me, although I know it shouldn't be - is that right up until the moment he left us, Dad was giving us the very best of himself. He was kind, generous, protective, and loving. Looking back on his extraordinary life, this was how he always was, so why should a trifle like death change him? I'm glad to report that it didn't. The gift of a person that is Peter W. Schramm only became better with time. He would argue that he is a lot like a fine wine: Robust, delicate, and delicious. Even in death, he makes me smile.
Though our hearts are breaking as we say goodbye to our beloved teacher, we all know that we are called to act during this monumental time. There is not a moment to lose in digging our boots in, rolling up the sleeves of our flannel shirts, and carrying on with his great legacy in preserving American freedom and thought. He taught us the importance of whole-heartedly loving America and her Americans. We have some large boots to fill, but it can certainly be done.
