[hurryinhoosier62]

My dad was a paradox. Gentle one minute, slap you into next week the next. He grew up hard and was determined that his kids were going to college and have a better life than him. I remember when I told him I was going to be an aircraft mechanic. He ranted for two weeks "I didn't bust my a@$ for the last 25yrs for my son to be a mechanic. You're going to college!" Mom finally calmed him down, reasoning with him that I was going to do what I WANTED to do, NOT what he wanted me to do. By his example and sometimes TOTALLY impatient teaching, I took what he had taught me and built it into a career I enjoyed for 21yrs. Thanks,Dad......we miss you.

[Steve Barcak]

Wow, this could go on for a long time as there is so much to say. My father passed over 25 years ago and I still miss him.
Probably 2 of the most important, and simple things I can remember was-
"always carry around enough money with you" and " do not get into debt"
I went through my years of depending on plastic money and have moved away from that and remember him when I do it.



I will also tell you something my old man never told or explained to me that he should have.
It seems so obvious now but, when I was a kid and a young man, it was taken for granted-

When your kids start to think they are smater than you or they begine to think you are too frugal, nerdy or whatever.

Explain to them that they are sacrificing because of you, to provide for you and more. Kids do not seem to look at things that way until they get older and I think parents should let them know when they get rebellous.

Now, regretfully, I do not have a son to pass this info onto yet myself.....

[bird72]

Not to rain on parades, those with great dads are / were blessed..... mine was a gambler, womanizer, never went to my little league games, sour attitude jerk..... he did keep a roof over our heads, best I can come up with. he was crabby to the day he died. and after unlearning all his bad stuff, I did come away with the teaching of living life on the positive, to never be like him again....

[salem1912]

Taught me everything worth knowing. He was the man I admired most.

[arbys]

Originally Posted by bird72

Not to rain on parades, those with great dads are / were blessed..... mine was a gambler, womanizer, never went to my little league games, sour attitude jerk..... he did keep a roof over our heads, best I can come up with. he was crabby to the day he died. and after unlearning all his bad stuff, I did come away with the teaching of living life on the positive, to never be like him again....

Sorry to hear that. I appears that you've overcome the obstacles that surrounded you. I've always said that you are who you in spite of those circumstances or because of them.

My mother did all the fix ups around the house because my dad wasn't handy nor did he want to learn. When my friends wanted go-karts their dads helped them. I had to make my own. I didn't like that growing up but I think it made me a better person for that. I later joined the Marines and that adaptive attitude was beneficial. After that my job benefited from that also.