Remembering Life Lessons from Dad on Father's Day Weekend!
Ever since I was a boy, there have been people in my life who positively influenced me to become the man I am today and for them, I am forever grateful. One of those special people, I call Dad.
The First Life Lesson - Work Hard to Achieve What You Want in Life
My Dad spent close to 30 years with IBM. He started as an intern while at Marist College in New York. I always looked up to my Dad who worked hard for what he wanted. At an early age he taught me that in order to get what I wanted out of life I had to work for it. I got my first job in my early teens washing pots and pans at the Elk's Club and my parents would drive me to and from work. With that job, I was able to save enough money to buy my very first car - a 1977 white Camaro with red leather interior. Having a car in high school gave me the freedom to work after school and to get to the early morning crew practices on the Hudson River. Buying that first car, on my own, taught me not only to work for what you want but also to value what you own and take care of things that you worked hard to achieve.
The Second Life Lesson - Approach Life with Determination
My Dad was a trained sharp shooter in the US Army stationed in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He left on assignment just a few weeks after I was born. After the Army, my Dad went on to start his career with IBM. He taught me that if you really put your mind and most importantly your heart into it you can accomplish any life goal and overcome any challenge or hurdle that is put in front of you. This life lesson has so many personal examples (too many to mention) and this has given me the strength to approach my life with conviction, determination and focus.
The Third Life Lesson - To Have Fun and To Be Happy
I think this is one of the most important life lessons I have learned from my Dad. If you do not like what you do personally or professionally - why do it? Have Fun, Be Happy. My Dad at an early age had a real interest in music and singing and perhaps that is where I developed the love for music, singing karaoke and performing myself (although I am not that good). When I was a baby, my Dad had a wonderful 1966 Silver Coupe Corvette that he had to sell to put a down payment on a house for me and my Mom. He swore that he would someday own a mid-year Coupe again and it happened some 20 years later when he was in his 40s. Dad treasured that car and spent years documenting and taking care of his "new"vette which he finally sold for some other fun toys years later. This lesson for me was all about having a passion, an interest, a hobby that you love to do and to make time to do it and enjoy it to the fullest. We all need to work hard but my life motto now is to "work hard and play harder with fun and laughter!"
On this Father's Day, I want to thank my father and wish him and all the fathers out there a wonderful Fathers Day Weekend!
#FathersDay2023
