Tag Archives: lesson from dad

Mr. Back-Up Plan

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“Son, things in life will go bad. And while you can’t change that… you can have a back-up plan.”

—Bob Gomlicker

Today’s story is from Mike Gomlicker.

My name is Mike Gomlicker. My dad’s name is Bob. He won’t bore you with chatter, meaningless talk. Those words above were his best. They define who Dad is.

backup plan

Young combat pilot Bob Gomlicker

Air Force combat pilot. Commercial airline captain. My father held lives in his hands during those years. In my dad’s hands is a great place to be.
Emergency time? Cool & calm. Quick to react. Dad responds in a flash like bad was the plan. He’s told me stories. Things that happened. Fathers & sons; daughters & moms; innocent lives in his care.

But Dad thought ahead. Whatever went wrong, he knew what to do. While others relaxed and daydreamed before a long flight, Dad would go think, somewhere alone. READ MORE 

Just Do What Has to Be Done

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Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

—Mark Twain

by Darren Hardy, April 9, 2013

My dad would have been 66 years old yesterday. I lost him to bone cancer seven months ago. In his eulogy I passed forward the half-dozen philosophies he taught me that shaped me into the man I am today, in the hope they might benefit those in attendance.

what has to be done

Darren Hardy in his father’s arms

In honor and celebration of his birthday I’d like to pass one of those philosophies forward to you. This one saved my life… and defined my life.

You might know that my parents divorced when I was only 18 months old. My mother never really wanted to be a mother (she got angry when she found out she was pregnant with me), so when they split up, she cheerfully handed me over to my dad.

My dad didn’t know what to do with me either. He was only 23 years old when I was born. He had just moved from his hometown, in the San Francisco Bay Area, to what seemed like the middle of nowhere in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

There we were, out there all alone.    READ MORE 

Son Fired by Two-Hatted Dad!

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Today’s story is from Tom Leonard.

My dad wears two hats. It started like this.

two hatted dad

Tom Leonard and his father Stewart

“Tom, join me in the hot tub. Let’s talk,” said Dad. Pretty cool, I thought. Hot tubbin’ with dad. A father-son chat. Why not?

And, I was due for a raise. I’d worked at Dad’s store for months. He took me on when I quit college. Dad wasn’t pleased when I bailed out of school. But he swallowed hard and gave me a job. That worked for me.    READ MORE 

A Lesson From Dad – Oatmeal?

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“Half a loaf is better than no bread.”

—Traditional Proverbs

Today’s story is from GiGe Neck.

My name is GiGe. I am 11. This is a story about breakfast. And oatmeal. And a lesson from dad.

A Lesson from Dad

GiGe

My mom was out of town. My mom normally makes my breakfast. Dad’s turn to be chef for the day. Will Dad burn the house down?

“What do you want for breakfast,” Dad says. I say, “Anything is fine.” Dad’s cooking skills are not the best. I’m thinking he’ll pull out the box of Frosted Flakes.

“How about oatmeal? I have a secret family recipe I’ve never told you about,” Dad proudly says.

I don’t want to hurt his feelings so I say, “sure.” But I’m not “sure” given I don’t like what oatmeal looks like and I’ve never tasted it before.    READ MORE 

My Dad, Jim Henson, Taught Us Learning Is Cool

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His teachings were brilliant, lessons of felt.
Lessons of Felt?

Today’s story is from Lisa Henson, daughter of Jim Henson of Muppet fame.

He “fathered” thousands…but never met most. Jim Henson fathered The Muppets. Creatures of felt. He brought us Sesame Street, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, so much more.

Jim Henson taught us that learning is cool.
Counting to ten could be fun.
Jim Henson, Learning is Cool

Lisa Henson with her father Jim Henson*

But what was it like to be a real Henson kid? “We were always doing extraordinary things,” says Lisa, now 53 (the same age as Jim when he died). Making it fun was how the Henson kids learned that learning is cool.

“Dad (and Mom) were always up for play,” says Brian, 50. Games and more games. And felt puppets—of course.

Jim taught his kids through engagement and fun, lessons of felt. Brian, a technical whiz, Dad taught puppet building. Lisa showed a knack for editing. “From age 12, I read and gave feedback on his scripts… ”
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Dad Taught Me the Value of Approaching Life in a Different Way

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The announcement came over the school PA.

Today’s story is from Brian Hague.

Dad embarrassment

Brian as a kid with his dad, Greg Hauge

Eyes turned and focused on me. Run for the door? Slide under the desk? Is embarrassment fatal? I am now dead. It was my dad. He did it again!

My name is Brian. It’s been 23 years. I was 11. Monday morning. Fifth grade. Ms. Sullivan’s class. Two days before. Dad had taken my brothers and me to the Swap Meet. We trolled for trick stuff.

Something caught Dad’s eye, really his ear. D.J. Carlos, a Latin rapper in hip-hop gear. Selling songs right out of his van. The sign read,

“Custom Rap Songs. You write it, I rap it.”

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My Father Was ‘The Coach’ But No Task Was Too Low

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No one commanded respect like ‘The Coach.’

Today’s story is from Jean Herges.

Everyone noticed, everyone stopped. The cockiest kids lowered their gaze, boys obeyed. “He scares me,” admitted a burly linebacker friend. I smiled.

Dad does it all

Jean and her dad Pete Herges, 82

I knew a secret about Dad. But first, let me set the stage. We lived in a small Minnesota town (of 1,600). Sports dominated our life. Farming was most everyone’s trade.

Dad was Athletic Director. He also coached football and golf. In our sports town, he was ‘The Coach.’ I was a cheerleader for the team.

What was my secret on Dad? Dad disappeared after Friday night games, also on Saturdays. What took him away? Fishing? Golf? Secret outings with “the guys”? Many speculated, few knew.    READ MORE