59 things my dad taught me
One day while I was away at school, I got a call from a friend who was letting out our neighbor’s dog. She told me that their garage code wasn’t working and she couldn’t get into the house. Before she could even call the family, she turned around to see my dad standing behind her in the driveway holding a screwdriver to try and fix the door code. That is the kind of guy my dad is. Always there when you need him, going out of his way to help others.
In all honesty, there’s about 59 million things that my dad taught me. As he has been previously mentioned in my prior posts, it isn’t difficult to see that I think of him highly. To say that he is one of my biggest role models is an understatement. If you have had the honor to meet and know this man, you know he would do just about anything for anyone. I decided to take the opportunity of his birthday to reflect on some of the things he has taught me that have helped me get through life.
Hugs are healing
Enjoy and appreciate warm showers
Fresh air can change a sour mood
Be a good neighbor
How to ride a bike
How to drive a car
How to swing a golf club
Sharing a meal with someone is a great way to show your love
Flannel shirts. Always.
Take care of others but always take care of yourself too
The first pancake is a tester to see if the pan is the right temperature and the first test in a new class is a tester to see how the teacher assesses your knowledge
How to parallel park
Backup your phone often
How to make scrambled eggs
When making your bed, put the printed side of the top sheet facing down so the softer side is touching your skin
Be creative
Do things to make others smile
If you don’t have anything to do at work, ask what else you can help with
When interviewing for a job, share something interesting about yourself that will make you be remembered, and always send a thank you afterwards
Always have a protective case on your phone
15 minutes early is on time, on time is late, and late is never acceptable
When ordering at a restaurant (or asking for anything in general), always start by saying “may I please have”… manners matter!!
Always have high expectations for yourself but be forgiving if things don’t work out as planned (as long as you tried your hardest!)
Always try your best at everything you do
Believe that you can do hard things
How to make the best chocolate chip banana pancakes
Know that you deserve the best and don’t settle for anything less
Always always always be kind
Treat others the way you wish to be treated
Appreciate nature
Appreciate music
There’s a million different ways to say “I love you”
Support the artistic endeavors of others
Appreciate others’ talents and skills and let them know they are appreciated
Don’t stop trying for something you want
Take your time and do things right the first time
There’s no such thing as being over-prepared
Go out of your way for others
When you have company, ask right away if they want anything to eat or drink
Be yourself
Get everything ready for tomorrow the night before
Have big dreams and follow them
Spiders are more scared of you than you are of them
When technology isn’t working, turn it off and on again
Put flannel sheets on your bed in the winter
Learn about and appreciate different cultures
Always have a blanket and/or heavy coat in your car
Keep money in a zippered pocket or wallet, never in a pocket that doesn’t zip
Always try to have $20 cash on you in case of emergencies
Stand up for your dog
Do small kind things for other people often
Send thank you cards after receiving a gift
Dress for the weather
Teasing is a way of showing love
Make sure you have a good resume and ask others to review it
Always double check your work
When you don’t want to get dressed, put your clothes in the dryer so they are warm when you put them on
Listen to Nora Jones on a cozy day
How to love truly, deeply, and without conditions
