Tag Archives: lesson from dad

Dad’s Long Walk Without Shoes

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A long walk without shoes. A craggy dirt road.
An hour to school. An hour back home.
My name is Shawn Kumar. This is about Dad.

Today’s story is from Shawn Kumar.

Proud dad, proud son.

Nand & Shawn Kumar…proud dad with proud son.

What kids now expect, he would never have dreamed. My father grew up in India. He was thankful just to have shoes. As hard as it was, Dad dreamed of the best, only good things. He did it back then. He does it today.

My father was determined to create an opportunity-filled life for the family he one day would have.

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The Power of Dad’s Silence

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Winter of ’48. Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Snow was a part of everyday life.

Today’s story is from Lee Crist.

Dad's 1936 Ford Coupe

1936 Ford Coupe

My father, Charles Crist, was a fireman for the Pennsylvania Railroad. As a railroad employee, he was entitled to a “free pass” to anywhere on the ‘System.’ Over New Years, Mom and Dad decided to take the train to Baltimore to visit my older sister.

I had turned 16 the August before, and was a proud licensed driver. My family’s only form of transportation was a royal blue 1936 Ford Coupe with a rumble seat. Just before he left, my Dad instructed,

“If it snows, leave the car in the garage.”

Off they went. I had the car to myself. My buddies and I were going to have a blast.
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7 Little Sentences. 7 Big Thoughts.

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7 Little Sentences. 7 Big Thoughts.

I’ve been fortunate. Most of my life I’ve been surrounded by people with smarts.

by Greg Hague

Greg Hague

My kids say this is my “smart guy” photo.

It started with my dad, Chubby. He taught me a ton and made me want to know more. I learned that big concepts can often be expressed in just a few words. Chubby was a master at that.

Over 30+ years, I’ve assembled quite a collection of these nuggets of life. I call them “Chubby Rules,” named after my dad. I thought I would pass on a few of my favorites. Some are my own. Most are what others have said or I’ve read. If you’ve heard them, a reminder can’t hurt. Most of us know what we ought to do. We just need a nudge.   READ MORE 

Are You Happy with Who You Are?

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Are You Happy with Who You Are?

“People focus on role models; it is more effective to find anti-models — people you don’t want to resemble when you grow up.”

by Greg Hague

This morning a Savvy Dad friend and story contributor (and really smart guy), Michael LeBoeuf, reminded me of that quote from a great book, The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb.

Greg Hague, Savvy Dad

Me, Greg, a few years back.

It made me reflect back to a Saturday breakfast with Dad at Perkins Pancake House in Montgomery, Ohio. I was 12, maybe 13. It was our father-son tradition — the highlight of my week for years. We were sitting across from each other in a dark-red shiny booth next to the window, looking out at the road. It was a cold, icy morning. I can still picture the massive platter before me, stacked high with five syrup-laden pancakes, hash-browns and a double order of crispy bacon.   READ MORE 

Dad’s Respect for All Living Creatures

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Dad’s Respect for All Living Creatures…

Playin’ Possum

Today’s story is from Val Padar.

Has it happened to you?
A moving blur darts out in front of the car.

A sickening thud…your heart jumps to your throat. Your stomach tightens, sours and churns.

dad's respect for all living creatures

Val’s dad, Sandor, when he was growing up.

It happened to Sandor. He was my dad.

He screeched to a halt and jumped out of the car. He hoped he was wrong, but learned he was right. A possum lie stretched on the side of the road. My father hated to see a creature of nature die this way. He thought, “Was it dead or could it be stunned?”

Dad knew these cagey critters are known to feign death in times of great stress. It’s how they outfox their prey. He lifted the possum into a cardboard box he kept in the trunk. He looked at it closely and guessed it was just stunned.   READ MORE 

The Miracle Was My Dad

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“Grab your coat,” Dad said. It was late. Something was wrong at the Keeners’– our neighbors, our friends.

Today’s story is from Gordie Zeigler.

The Miracle was Dad

1974, “Piloting the boat with a cigar in my mouth. From the beginning, I wanted to be just like Dad.”

We climbed into our pick-up and raced to their farm. I was 10, excited, nervous and scared.

Dad was an intense guy—about people, work, whatever was part of his immediate sphere. He dove in when needed. He gave it all that he had.
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Dad, Please Help Me!

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At the Hyde household, love was abundant; resources were few.

Today’s story is from Justin Hyde.

“What we ate for dinner had often roamed the forest that day. Neighbors were miles apart,” Justin explained. As a boy, Justin longed to hunt with his dad. He pleaded, but was told,

“Justin, you’re too young.”

Justin Hyde

Justin Hyde (right) and dad, Kevin Hyde (3rd from right) with family and friends

The day finally came. Justin was 6. Justin’s dad carried his gun. The sling was too big for Justin’s tiny shoulder. They started the trek up the mountain. Justin remembered, “It seemed like we walked forever.” Father and son moved quietly through the brush, “We didn’t want to frighten the prey.” Shadows grew long. Darkness began to fall.   READ MORE