My first memory is of being about three years old, and I am sitting in the driver’s seat of my dad’s boat. I can remember seeing my dad and uncle leaning over the front of the boat working on a trot line. Memories spanning twenty five years are flooding back to me as I write this post. Most of those memories include my dad in some form or fashion. He has been my biggest fan and my worst critic since the day I was born. I couldn’t have asked for more. These are the five most important lessons that he taught me.
1. Education can take you anywhere
My dad lost his father when he was just thirteen years old. And it was in a way that most people wouldn’t wish on their worst enemy. He had to immediately step up and help my grandmother raise my uncles, who were only nine and five. Because of that circumstance, my dad often felt pressured to drop out of school to work full time. Thankfully, he had an amazing boss that threatened to fire him if he quit school.
Since I was in preschool, I can remember my dad pushing me in academics. I was put into an honors program in third grade, started USC undergrad dual enrollment in my sophomore year of high school, and recently finished my M.Ed. I did all of those things to make my dad proud and to take full advantage of the opportunities he was never given.
2. Focus on family
When my parents divorced, my dad had every opportunity to become a bachelor again. Instead, he worked tirelessly to ensure that my brother and I would have everything we needed. I never realized the sacrifice that he made for us until I was a mother myself. I have made a conscious effort every day to put my son first in everything just like my dad did for me. Money and recognition will fade, but a stable family unit is invaluable.
3. Have some fun
In recent years, my dad ran a 5K Color Run with me, started a part time lawn business with my oldest brother, tumbled through an inflatable obstacle course with my middle brother, and started raising baby goats with my youngest brother. All of these things are done in his spare time.
My dad instilled a tremendous work ethic in all of his children, but he also made sure to show us how to have a good time. I cannot remember any crazy activity from scuba-snorkeling to mystery dinner theater that he has turned down. As a mom, I love to explore new experiences with my son. I now know what it was like for my dad to see our faces light up when he did something crazy.
4. The Lord gets 10% of your income
My dad has owned his own business for most of my life. Now, I know there were many times when business was slow. I can look back and see where my parents were cutting down on extras. However, the one thing that I do not remember is my dad not putting something into the collection plate on Sunday morning. We always knew that we were to be thankful to the Lord for all of the blessings we received, even when times were hard.
5. Never stop
I think this would be the one that my dad will want me to remember even when he is gone. NEVER STOP. Never stop learning. Never stop growing. Never stop loving. Never stop giving. My dad has had challenges, obstacles, and roadblocks in his life. He has been stuck in between that infamous rock and hard place more than I would like to know about, but he has never given up. Whether it be to completely start over with two kids or start an entire new career in his late forties, my dad has always made a way for himself.
My dad never told me any of these things with his words. He set the example and let me figure it out for myself. I hope I can continue to watch him and learn for another twenty five years.
