I grew up in the early '70s with my dad. He would tell you that we grew up together. He taught me so much about life and I learned a lot of life lessons from him. I loved those early years. I can close my eyes and see the little, tiny house we lived in. I loved that house. We had so many mice in the dirt basement house that we often kept them as pets. I learned … you didn't need a lot to be happy.
I had a very special dog named Paddy. My dad took me to the humane society when I was a year old to pick her out for our new life together. Paddy lived to be 18-years-old. She and I grew up together. She and I were both rescues. Dad was right, I did need her. I learned … every home needs a pet.
My bedroom was filled with hand-me-down furniture and anything that was homemade. My dad had a soft spot for well-made things. I learned ... the value of homemade things.
The garage in our back yard was where my dad first started fixing Volkswagens. As a teenager, he had rolled his sister's beetle after a party, and he fixed it back up for her. You can still find my dad in his garage. I learned … how to be an entrepreneur.
We ate really healthy — lots of beans, rice, and veggies that my dad grew in our huge garden. Friday was called "goulash" night, and everything we didn't eat all week got put in a frying pan. I wasn't allowed to have sugar. My dad paid to have all my baby teeth capped silver. He called my teeth his Ferrari as he joked; he could have bought one with the money those teeth cost. Imagine how much money the tooth fairy brought for a silver tooth. I gave all of my
Halloween candy away to children in need. I learned … how to eat healthily and to share.
I helped with everything: cooking, cleaning, laundry, and vacuuming. I would even sew buttons on shirts on Saturday mornings while I watched cartoons from our orange and brown floral couch. I learned … families stick together.
My dad had motivational books on the coffee table, went to meetings and parenting classes. I learned … personal development is important.
I love you dad. I learned … how to always say, I love you.
Happy Father’s Day,
