For the past 36 years, I've spent Father's Day with my Dad at Parma Convention. I've only missed one year to attend my step-daughter's High School Graduation.
I thought it would be fun to pull some pictures out of the archives and post them along with my hopes that ALL FATHERS had a wonderful day, filled with family, memories, and happiness.
I came to the realization recently that the older I get, the less it bugs me to be compared to my Dad. He turned 70 last December and his age is beginning to show a bit. He doesn't go quite as hard as he used to and there are certainly more naps than I ever remember taking place. He was the driving force behind my joining the volunteer fire department and driving myself to pass the EMT classes as he was involved in both and I remember many stories from both experiences. My Father is a very strong man. He has been through many experiences that should have taken his life, but he pulled through. He stared cancer in the face and won. He lost his only son and not only made it through but carried Mom along the way. He takes such good care of Mom with her Parkinson's Disease. He works harder now that he is retired than he did before retirement. He's a pretty amazing man.
In tribute to Dad, I thought I would share some of the sayings I heard over and over again and find myself sharing with my children. Some of them are gems of wisdom. Some are cute and have been shared amongst family with smiles and laughter over the years. Some are things that I still haven't mastered completely but feel they are very smart advice.
In tribute to Dad, I thought I would share some of the sayings I heard over and over again and find myself sharing with my children. Some of them are gems of wisdom. Some are cute and have been shared amongst family with smiles and laughter over the years. Some are things that I still haven't mastered completely but feel they are very smart advice.
#1 Pick your friends, don't let them pick you
#2 It's OK to be different, if different is right.
#3 If it don't move, move it anyway.
#4 Kill 'em with kindness.
#5 Check, double check, re-check and check it again.
#6 When you borrow something, return it in better condition than when you borrowed it.
#7 If you don't have the cash to buy it, you don't really need it.
#8 You're actions are a direct reflection of your family--proceed with caution.
#9 If you have to work for something, it will mean more to you than if it was handed to you.
#10 Life isn't always going to be fair, fun, or kind.
#11 There is ALWAYS somebody watching you. (I'm pretty sure he was referring to God, but I'm convinced they always had somebody spying on me, as well.)
#12 If some thing is worth doing, it's worth doing right.
#13 Make the most of every day.
I'm sure there were more that I can't bring to mind at this moment, but these are the one's that stick out in my mind. Some of them are probably "universal" meaning the rest of you heard them growing up as well, but they are worth repeating.
I've become a firm believer in this thought: The more you disliked your parents growing up, it meant they were doing a good job of raising you with solid values. I hope my kids feel the same way someday.
Dad, since you're NOT into technology, I doubt you'll ever see this, but just in case you do, I want to leave you with this thought. I appreciate the hard work ethic you instilled in me. I'm grateful for how strict you and Mom were. I'm proud to be your daughter and feel it is a compliment when someone says I look and act like you.
Thanks for all the sacrifices you've made over the years. Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me when I was afraid. Thank you for helping me see the difference between right and wrong. Thank you for persevering in the face of adversity. Thank you for letting me see you cry as it helped me realize you were human and it was OK to show weakness sometimes. Thank you for teaching me to have fun (did it ALWAYS have to be at my expense???) and for teaching me to love. You are truly an amazing man.
!!! I LOVE YOU !!!
