Monday, March 15, 2010

Dad's Legacy

Dad. Puerto Vallarta, 1996.
~
Dad and my step-mom were not married for a very long time and I was legally an adult when they married, but I still call her my step-mom and I still call her kids my step-brother and step-sisters. I love them all.
~
I am in contact with some of them on Facebook and recently my step-brother moved from Colorado to Hawaii. I don't know what he does for a living, and I was curious about how he went from there to there. It must be quite a weather and wardrobe shock. I asked him how he ended up in Hawaii and this was his response:
How did I end up in Hawaii, well I think it has everything
to do with what a wise man once told me.
Your Dad, [Dad's Name], once told me that
it doesn't matter how educated you are,
but rather if you are willing to get up and
go to work every day, and work, you will be successful.
So I give your dad credit for the advice
that let a high school dropout work his way
to a life on the beach in Hawaii making six figures possible.
It's as simple as that.
~
I told him how touched I was and asked him for permission to quote that on my blog. He said:
No, I don't care if you put it on your blog,
it's part of a legacy of a great guy.
~
Dad really was a "larger than life" type of person and if everyone's life were a novel, Dad would be a major character in enough books to fill a large home library. But lately, now that it has been over 11 years since Dad died, I was afraid that maybe people were starting to forget about him. Apparently I was wrong.

10 comments:

Lolo said...

Anyone who knew your Dad is not capable of forgetting him. He was a great man and I'm glad he was in my life. Just as I am so glad you are in my life. We both know how happy he is we are best friends.
Sha-boom Sha-boom!

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

Awww, my turn to tear all up. Thanks for sharing this.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely testament. You were very fortunate. My dad had his virtues, but being a 'great guy' wasn't one of them.

VioletSky said...

aahhhhh, that is wonderful advice. I have nothing that prosaic that I learned from my father. You are indeed very fortunate.

tattytiara said...

Your dad was smart. I'm going to remember this. So glad I found your blog today.

Carole said...

Gee, this is such a moving story, and what a great tribute to your Dad. Knowing how very highly you thought of your dad, I can only imagine how special your step-brother's words about your dad were to you.

geewits said...

Lo,
~~Thanks! I think about that alot. I bet he is tickled pink.

GnightGirl,
~~I guess I owed you one.

Ian,
~~Dad had his faults, but he more than made up for them on the other end.

Violet Sky,
~~Well my step-brother learned it. I was born without the work ethic gene.

tattytiara,
~~Thanks! And thanks for stopping by.

Carole,
~~Yes, his message really made my day.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

What a great story...! I love that your Dad was such an inspiration to so many people. I know it must make you so very proud and warm your heart, as well. That was WONDERFUL Advice!

geewits said...

Naomi,
~~Thanks. It certainly was good advice for my step brother. I love being around people that were part of Dad's life. it always makes me happy.

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