What My Dad Taught Me
Home Life

What My Dad Taught Me

What My Dad Taught Me

Today is my dad’s 76th birthday! I also haven’t seen him in over three years. Part of this is because I live in Tennessee and he is in California. The other part of this is COVID. But…I am going to see him in a few weeks as he and my mom will be out to visit soon. I can’t wait!

This post contains affiliate links!

Since the pandemic began, we have video chatted using our Facebook Portals once a week. This has been the best thing ever. I sit down with my parents and we talk about our week, what we have been reading, and watching on tv, and anything on our minds. I am so thankful we decided to do this.

Even though the miles seem so very far apart, being able to talk every week has kept us close. I am so glad we have that.

My dad is an amazing man. Born and raised in California, he served in the US Air Force, became a librarian, and then a college history teacher. And he has taught me so many things over the years.

Dad taught me to be a writer

I owe my writing career to my dad. I truly do. My senior year high school English teacher had just gotten back from a trip around the world a year before. While his stories were fascinating, we didn’t learn a whole lot and that didn’t exactly set me up for college. I think we started the Tale of Two Cities but then never went back to it.

So every college paper I had him proofread for me. He would edit the paper, and send it back. He was the ultimate editor through my college years. And I can’t thank him enough for that.

Dad taught me to be a reader

My dad reads as much, if not more than I do. He always has. He has the most amazing set of bookshelves in his office and as an adult, we are always talking books. I love that.

We are both currently going through Louise Penny’s Three Pines series. I am on book 11, and. he is re-read on book 3 or 4.

I love to read more than anything else in the world, and I owe that to him. Thank you dad for teaching me the importance of a book and the worlds you can find by diving into them.

Dad taught me the importance of hard work

My dad has always worked hard. I so appreciate that. He taught me the importance of making your own money, and to always save some of it. He taught me to give when I can and be thankful for all that I have.

Dad taught me to learn about your world

Dad took us all over California as a kid. From Gold Country to the Missions to Yosemite. There was so much to learn about and he wanted us to see it. Thank you dad for taking us to those amazing places. I will always remember them.

Dad taught me to enjoy the musicals and sing the songs

My dad raised me on musicals. Rodgers and Hammerstein, the Fiddler on the Roof, and the Music Man. I have never really been comfortable singing publicly like he has but I appreciate it. When COVID hit, he and his choir took to Zoom and created some amazing pieces together without being in the same room.

Music means so much to him and it means so much to me too.

I love you, dad. Thank you for being you. See you soon 🙂


(Visited 125 times, 1 visits today)