In honor of my father's 80th birthday, I
thought I would compile of list of eighty things I learned from him, over the
course of my life. In all fairness, many
of these lessons were taught by both my parents, but since it’s his birthday,
Dad gets the credit today. There are
also some members of my family who would say that I haven’t mastered all of
these lessons…but that’s hardly Dad’s fault, sometimes I’m a slow learner. So here you go Dad –
Eighty Lessons I Learned From My
Father:
1.
How to
change a tire.
2.
How to
parallel park.
3.
The value of
unconditional love.
4.
Buy good
tools.
5.
Don’t
throw the first punch, throw the last one.
6.
The
importance of well-polished shoes.
7.
Give a firm
handshake.
8.
Take the
time to do the job right the first time, and you won’t have to do it over.
9.
Don’t be a
quitter.
10.
Always look
a person in the eye when you talk to them.
11.
Don’t spend
what you don’t have.
12.
How to tie a
tie. Yep, I learned from watching him.
13.
Take time
for vacations.
14.
There’s
value in hard work.
15.
A little sweat
won’t kill you.
16.
Wear your
“Sunday Go to Meetin’” clothes to church.
17.
Family comes
first.
18.
Be patient.
19.
Take a nap
after lunch.
20.
A good
reputation in invaluable.
21.
Measure
twice, cut once.
22.
Think before
you speak.
23.
Take
responsibility for your actions.
24.
Help your
neighbor whenever you can.
25.
Go to
church.
26.
Never stop
learning.
27.
Don’t pay
someone to do a job you can do yourself.
28.
Marriage is
forever. And that’s a good thing.
29.
Even crow
tastes good if it’s fixed right.
30.
Make lists…there
is satisfaction in crossing off completed chores.
31.
Discipline
is a virtue.
32.
Enjoy a bowl
of ice cream before bed.
33.
Education is
important.
34.
Show
gratitude – say thank you.
35.
If you see
the tanker truck delivering fuel at the gas station, fill up somewhere else.
36.
Forgive
quickly.
37.
Laugh often! It’s good for you.
38.
Kiss your
spouse in front of your kids.
39.
Listen more
than you talk.
40.
Follow your
dream.
41.
How to
waterski.
42.
How to mow
the yard, keeping the lines straight.
43.
Show
affection to those you love.
44.
Practice
generosity.
45.
The
importance of service.
46.
Use your
talents.
47.
How to ride
a bike.
48.
How to
roller skate.
49.
Buy used
cars.
50.
The
importance of loyalty.
51.
How to stand
on my head.
52.
Always
return (or leave) things better than you found them.
53.
Tell the
truth.
54.
Don’t play
with matches.
55.
Show your
kids you appreciate their talents and efforts.
56.
There’s
nothing like a good steak, cooked out on the grill.
57.
Respect your
elders and others in authority.
58.
Check your
oil.
59.
Tip well.
60.
Appreciate
music.
61.
Marry
someone good, kind, and willing to work hard.
62.
Doing right
is its own reward.
63.
It’s okay to
cry sometimes.
64.
Persevere.
65.
Experience
is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.
66.
When the oil
light comes on, STOP!
67.
Raise your
kids to be kind, strong and independent.
68.
Choices have
consequences.
69.
Timing is
everything.
70.
Keep your
promises.
71.
You shift by
the sound of the engine, not by the gauge on the dashboard.
72.
Sit still in
church.
73.
Don’t watch
the clock when you’re at work.
74.
Never swear
in front of your kids.
75.
How to read
a map.
76.
How to ride
a motorcycle.
77.
When
negotiating, the one who can walk away has the upper hand.
78.
Finish what
you start.
79.
Any
motorcycle is better than no motorcycle, but the best motorcycle is a Harley.
80.
There’s
nothing sweeter than being called “Blondie” or “Angel” by a dad whom you adore.
Happy
Birthday, Dad! I love you.
~Cricket
Gulfport, Mississippi, 1973
