I'm a little late in the day posting about Father's Day, but better late than never -- right?
Some things that I learned from my Father:
The difference between a weed and cotton (or corn, or okra, or beans, or....).
It's time for supper when the work is finished -- not necessarily when you are hungry.
The animals get fed first.
You "fess up" when it was you that threw the baseball through the window.
"Licks" at school meant more at home.
Profanity was a sign of a weak vocabulary.
If you don't form an opinion, someone will form it for you.
If you get in a fight you had better not be the one that started it.
You ate what was on your plate whether you liked it or not.
Honesty is a given.
If you agree to do something you do it.
You bait your own hook and help any women that won't bait theirs.
You open the door for a lady.
You take your hat off in the house.
You shovel the sidewalk for the old couple across the street and you don't take any pay for it.
If you shoot it you eat it -- unless it's rabbits and then it's self defence. Five rabbits eat as much as a cow.
You don't quit.
You put in an honest day's work for your pay.
If you can read you can figure out how to do just about anything.
Spend time with your kids.
Family comes first.
It doesn't matter how much you make, it's how much you spend.
Don't talk back to your mother.
Some things you have to learn the hard way.
Keep what you own in good repair.
Kids need to know they're loved.
If you see a snotty nose, wipe it.
You're expected in church on Sunday morning.
Sometimes you seem a lot smarter if you keep your mouth shut.
Live your calling -- whatever it happens to be.
Give your time to your church, your community and your family.
The list goes on and on but I think you get the picture. That's what it was and is -- a picture of how to live your life through the example of his. Thanks, Dad.
Showing posts with label father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label father. Show all posts
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Happy Birthday Dad
Today is my father's 77th birthday.
Dad grew up in Southwestern Oklahoma during the Dustbowl and Depression on a dryland farm in a family of 7 kids. After the untimely death of his father in 1943, those 7 kids were raised by their mother.
Dad became an expert shot with a rifle as he was growing up. Wild game was an important part of their diet and often the only meat on the table. My uncle once told of watching my father run along behind a covey of quail that was running down a fence line. As he ran, he would shoot the last bird in the line with a single-shot .22 rifle. He shot nearly the entire covey before stopping. His comment was that ammunition was scarce and every shot had to count.
Of the 7 kids, all but 2 received a college education. They did so through their own perseverance and initiative. Five of them, including my father, pursued careers in education. At one point in my own education I was required to interview my father about why he chose the career that he did. His response was that in Southwestern Oklahoma during his early years, teaching was one of the most respected and secure careers. I suspect that it was his calling because many times through the years I have heard people comment about how my father made a positive influence in their life through his role as an educator/school administrator.
Dad always made time for us as we were growing up -- and still does today. He played catch, took us hunting, fishing and camping. He taught us to work. And he does the same for his grandchildren now. He always made time to attend anything that we participated in -- and does the same for his grandchildren.
He and my mother have been married over 50 years and have lived in the same town all of that time. They will be moving in the next few weeks to the town in which I live. My mother has never lived anywhere else. They want to be close to their kids and grandkids.
Happy Birthday Dad!
Dad grew up in Southwestern Oklahoma during the Dustbowl and Depression on a dryland farm in a family of 7 kids. After the untimely death of his father in 1943, those 7 kids were raised by their mother.
Dad became an expert shot with a rifle as he was growing up. Wild game was an important part of their diet and often the only meat on the table. My uncle once told of watching my father run along behind a covey of quail that was running down a fence line. As he ran, he would shoot the last bird in the line with a single-shot .22 rifle. He shot nearly the entire covey before stopping. His comment was that ammunition was scarce and every shot had to count.
Of the 7 kids, all but 2 received a college education. They did so through their own perseverance and initiative. Five of them, including my father, pursued careers in education. At one point in my own education I was required to interview my father about why he chose the career that he did. His response was that in Southwestern Oklahoma during his early years, teaching was one of the most respected and secure careers. I suspect that it was his calling because many times through the years I have heard people comment about how my father made a positive influence in their life through his role as an educator/school administrator.
Dad always made time for us as we were growing up -- and still does today. He played catch, took us hunting, fishing and camping. He taught us to work. And he does the same for his grandchildren now. He always made time to attend anything that we participated in -- and does the same for his grandchildren.
He and my mother have been married over 50 years and have lived in the same town all of that time. They will be moving in the next few weeks to the town in which I live. My mother has never lived anywhere else. They want to be close to their kids and grandkids.
Happy Birthday Dad!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)