Monthly Archives: June 2013

Son Succeeds His Own Way — My Dad Harvey Mackay

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“A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline.”

—Harvey Mackay

Father’s Day exclusive ‘Son Succeeds His Own Way — My Dad Harvey Mackay’, by David Mackay

#1 New York Times Bestseller

#1 New York Times Bestseller

Harvey Mackay, #1 New York Times best selling author, including ‘Swim with the Sharks without Being Eaten Alive.’ Founder, Mackay Mitchell Envelope Company, producing over 25 million envelopes a day. A personal friend… a remarkable guy.

David Mackay, Harvey’s son. Quite a success, too. Stanford grad. Accomplished film director. His credits include the recent Hallmark Channel hit ‘Naughty Or Nice,’ and the Disney Channel premiere movie, ‘Breaking Free.’ A personal friend… a remarkable guy.

In David’s words:

“Growing up, I realized that it just wouldn’t be right to follow in my dad’s footsteps. READ MORE 

Dolly Parton – No Patience for Pretense

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“Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.”

—Judy Garland

Story from Dolly Parton’s autobiography, ‘My Life and Other Unfinished Business.’

That silly preacher picked the wrong day to bother Lee Parton. His daughter remembers it well. Lee was “sweatin’ and a’groanin’ tryin’ to get a stump out of the ground.”

Dolly Parton's album, First Gathering

Parton’s first self-produced album

That snooty ol’ preacher? There he was in his starched collar, grinning at Lee over the fence. “This particular preacher wasn’t much of a help to anybody. And he seemed to show up only when he was out beatin’ the bushes for money,” Lee’s daughter, Dolly, recalls. (Yes, that Dolly Parton. This is a story from Dolly’s autobiography about her very smart dad.)

At the time, Dolly was around five, and the Partons were poor as dirt, but rich in pride. They were coming up, too. Dolly’s dad worked hard to provide. READ MORE 

‘Cats in the Cradle’ — Harry Chapin

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“You should live every day like it’s your last day ‘cause one day you’re gonna be right.”

—Ray Charles

Savvy Dad recently interviewed musician, activist, and mom Jen Chapin.

“My child arrived just the other day.
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay.”

You know the song… “Cats in the Cradle.”

“Cats in the Cradle” was a #1 hit for Jen’s dad, Harry Chapin.

What few people know… It was a poem written by Jen’s mom, Sandy. “Mom and dad’s relationship was based on sharing poetry and ideas,” says Jen. READ MORE 

Hunting with Dad

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“Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them.”

—Charlie Sheen

Today’s story is from Elisabeth Hirsch.

Dad and me. Side by side. On our bellies. Beneath us, a massive valley. High on a ridge above Salt Lake City — and freezing.

hunting with dad

Elisabeth and her dad

He rousted me from bed at 4 AM. “But Dad…,” I protested.

“We’re going hunting,” Dad said.
“Coffee’s waiting.”

Hunting with Dad?

We had just moved to Salt Lake from the small town of Price. Dad got a new job. I got my first job. I didn’t like the big town. City life seemed complex for no reason. I longed for the simplicity of Price. This was not a good time in my life.

Hunting with Dad? READ MORE 

400,000 Remarkable Dads

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“I found my prince. His name is Daddy.”

by Greg Hague

Since 1997, the children of Illinois have written more than 400,000 essays about their dads. The subject is “What My Father Means to Me.” It’s part of the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative’s annual Fatherhood Essay Contest.

My friend, David Hirsch, founded this project and was kind enough to allow Savvy Dad to share three of the best from the pen — or crayon — of three special kids, word for word.

remarkable

“What My Father Means to Me”

From David, 1st Grade:

“My father is the most important man in my life. He was loving, caring, thoughtful and cool.
He had a lungs disease that made it hard to breathe. But that did not stop him.
He used to bring my sister and I to the park. He sat at my side while he helped me learn my ABC’s, count my 123, and teach me how to read. He used to call me Bud-Bud. READ MORE 

How Fathers Change Lives — Whatever It Takes

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“It is much easier to become a father than to be one.”

—Kent Nurburn

by Greg Hague

Enjoy your life? So do I. Janie Hite, too. Any doubt?

Janie Hite

Janie almost perished just after entering life. She’s with us today because of her dad. John Hite rallied in the middle of the night. He did what dads do:

Whatever it takes.

Here’s Janie’s story… “My Dad Has A Special Appreciation for Living”

Tomorrow we’ll share a story about 400,000 remarkable dads. It’s on what their kids wrote in an essay contest called, “What My Father Means To Me.”

Here is an example from Jessica, 1st grade: READ MORE 

When You Fall on Your Face Stand Up with Grace

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“Have no fear of perfection — you’ll never reach it.”

—Salvador Dali

Today’s story is from Elisabeth Hirsch.

Nerdy. Needy. In my own skin uneasy. My name is Elisabeth. When I was a teen, I was awkward back then. Stumbled on stones. Uneasy in groups. Tongue-tied with cute boys. Even my clothes didn’t look right.

stand up with grace

Dad Phil and Elisabeth in Sundance, Utah, 1988

But here’s the thing. It didn’t make sense. My mom was voted homecoming queen when she was my age. And Dad? Handsome. Confident. Suave. He always knew what to do, what to say. No wonder. My father was a star quarterback when he was my age.

Mom and Dad just didn’t “get me” — especially Dad. For him it had always been easy. Day after day, he soared through life. Touchdown. Score! Whatever Dad did, crowds seemed to roar.

While me? One fumble after another. The world watched me stumble through life. Until it happened. Dad and I went for groceries. Walking into the store, Dad’s foot caught on the rug. Face-first toward the tile floor he plunged, as others looked on. READ MORE