Lessons from my dad

He was a strong, quiet man.  At least that’s how I remember him.  He worked, a lot.  He was the boss of a small business in a calm, quiet manner.  It was not unusual for him to bring work home and sit with it for a few hours each night.

He also worked around the house, mostly outside, in the yard.  He took care of the car, the lawn, the boat.  Once, he suspended our boat from inside the garage and re-fiberglassed the bottom….he got blood poisoning from it, but he got it done.

I never remember him outwardly angry.  He displayed anger and frustration in other ways, he got quiet.  I remember a time or two when he’d go days without talking to my mother.  That really made her angry.

He loved to be active.  He loved to boat and fish and he loved the water.

He didn’t do it often, but I loved having him brush my hair.  He was so gentle.

From him, I grew to recognize my extreme peace next to the water and in the outdoors.  I learned to take pride in my effort and to put my all into my work.  I also learned that I don’t have to make a scene when upset and that once I let it go, I can move on….

I wish my children had known him!  But they weren’t that fortunate.  He would have loved them…and they would have loved him, just as I did…just as I do.