Tag Archives: lesson from dad

My Dad Taught Me About Life Through the Power of Silence

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I was never punished as a child.

Today’s story is from Bridget Meager.

Dad punished others. Fines. Imprisonment. That was his job. Just not me. For me he used the power of silence.

the power of silence

The Honorable Charles William Bradley,
Bridget’s father

My name is Bridget. I am the proud daughter of the Honorable Charles William Bradley, Louisiana District Court Judge for 25 years.

As a soldier, my father was a Dachau concentration camp liberator. As a lawyer, he interviewed Holocaust survivors. He later became a war crimes tribunal judge.

Firsthand, he’s seen the worst on this earth. It showed in the look in his eyes. You watched yourself around Dad.

Father had punished many. He’d seen the result. With children, he thought it was not the best way. He preferred the power of silence.    READ MORE 

A Father’s Advice on Borrowing for His 10-Year-Old Daughter

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School was out! I hopped on the bus headed for home.

Today’s story is from Katie McDevitt.

A young lady of 10, a 10-year-old, I was anxious to play outside with my friends.

A father's advice for his 10-year-old

Jim Reid, Katie’s dad

As we rounded the corner, there was my house. My face squished tight to the glass. What did I see? In the front lawn, my little red bike. Why was I distressed?

Stop for a moment. Pretend you are me. What do you see?

A “For Sale” sign tied to the bars of my bike. “For Sale?” I thought. My red bike was my life.

What had I done? Really! I was just a a 10-year-old. Want to relate? Imagine someone towed off your car! I jumped off the bus. Ran ‘cross the yard. Flew into the house.    READ MORE 

Dad Jumped into My Heart

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On a spring afternoon, a newborn bird fell to the ground.

Today’s story is from Melanie Swiercinski.

Dad jumped into my heart.

Melanie and her dad, John.
Ocean Beach, San Francisco (2011)

“Dad help, please hurry,” I cried. Like a shot, he bolted from the house. I was stretched out on the ground.

The newborn bird looked like a misshapen worm. Eyes sealed. His translucent flesh pale pink, all puckered and worn. Jagged pieces of shell lay spread in the grass. His mom surely figured him dead.

As soon as I called, Dad ran out and dove to the ground. He hurt like I hurt. He felt what I felt. He became me.   READ MORE 

Dad’s Devotion to Mom

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Dad was “on duty” ’round the clock.

Remember Lise Johnson? We told her story. She hid in a closet as a child of 9. It was Moving Day. Lise wanted to stay. Dad coaxed her out with a promise, “When you start high school, we’ll stop all these moves. I’ll quit my job, if I must. You can make friends. We’ll stay in one place.” Dad kept his word—just like he said. Fast-forward 30 years.

Lise Johnson's mom and dad

Lise’s mom, Joyce, and dad, Ralph.
They were married 48 years.

Lise takes it from here:

Mom became terminally ill. The road to the end was brutal and long. Dad stopped work and stayed home. Caring for Mom was his full-time job. His business folded. We lived off savings.

Mom loved it at home. Dad would have it no other way.

Friends and family helped, but Dad was “on duty” ’round the clock.

In the final two weeks, we moved Mom to Hospice. She needed professional care.   READ MORE 

Savvy Dad on Chit Capital

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Millions of words exist on how to make it in life.

by Greg Hague

Chubby taught it in few. Here are two: Chit Capital

chubbyThis is about that.

In 1962, I wanted to start my first business. I was 14. I needed 75 bucks to buy a lawn mower. I was going to cut grass.

My plan? Door to door with a flyer. “I Cut Grass. Good. Cheap. Greg.” When I asked Dad to loan me the $75, he asked why. I expected that. I told him my plan…the flyer, “I Cut Grass. Good. Cheap. Greg.”

Chubby thought for less than a minute. He pulled out his money clip and counted out 75 bucks. He spread it on the table and walked away.   READ MORE 

A Burning Desire to Prove Dad Wrong

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A Burning Desire to Prove Dad Wrong . . .

I Can’t? Watch Me!

Today’s story is from Tom Hopkins, a national treasure, the Dale Carnegie of our times.

Tom Hopkins

Dad, Les and his successful young son, Tom Hopkins.

As a student, I was never at the top of my class. Still, my parents struggled to save money to send me to college. I dutifully attended – for 90 days – then decided it wasn’t for me. I quit and went home.

After their sacrifice, my parents weren’t pleased with my decision. My father told me,

“Son, I will always love you. But, you will never amount to anything without a college education.”

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Dad’s Fear of Flying

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Dad’s Fear of Flying . . .

Accomplished, handsome, and more than just a tad cocky, meet my father, Bob.

Thanks to Barbara Bockner for sharing her fearless memory of Dad.

It was 1942. Bob was 35, a civil engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers.

Dad's fear of flying

(Left to right) Barbara’s older brother Bobby, Barbara, Mom (Reva), Dad (Bob), younger brother Barry.

World War II was ramping up. Dad was working on the Panama Canal. Mom, a teacher, was also stationed there. They married in Panama. I was born there.

After Panama, we traveled the world. Japan, as Dad helped to rebuild after the war. Iran, though we would leave as trouble erupted over the border in Iraq. Hawaii. Germany. We circled the globe.

Dad could do anything. Except one thing. Dad refused to fly…he’d take the slow boat.

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