Today marks the eight year anniversary of the passing of my dad. It is hard to believe that so much time has passed; it seems like he just left us. I’d like to think that I learned a great deal from this man. Much of who I am today is due to his influence. I know that I am still learning from him.When in difficult situations, I often find myself asking “what would Dad have done?” Often I get a sense of clarity and the answer is there. I’d like to think he is still teaching me how to live well and be a better person.
Occasionally I will see a flicker in my daughter’s eyes and an expression on her face and recognize it as “pure Dad”. What a gift to have those momentary “visitations”!
Dad taught me:
- Life is too short not to laugh at your own mistakes.
- Any job worth doing, is worth doing well.
- Never quit a job, no matter how terrible it is, until you've found another one.
- Be careful with your money - but treat yourself when you can.
- Everybody deserves to be treated with respect - especially those who don't seem to deserve it.
- Dancing to your favorite songs is one of life's great joys.
- Dancing is best when it is silly.
- Silly dancing is even better when you get others to join in.
- Learning and using people's names when you address them is one of the most important aspects of communication.
- Red Sox rule, Yankees drool.
- Family time is very important.
I miss you, Dad.
***
The Trees
The trees are coming into leaf
Like something almost being said;
The recent buds relax and spread,
Their greenness is a kind of grief.
Is it that they are born again
And we grow old? No, they die too,
Their yearly trick of looking new
Is written down in rings of grain.
Yet still the unresting castles thresh
In fullgrown thickness every May.
Last year is dead, they seem to say,
Begin afresh, afresh, afresh.
~Phillip Larkin
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