3 Things My Dad Taught Me About Life and Business

I had lunch with my Dad yesterday. ?? We go out once a week. Three things he taught me about life and business that I remembered as we talked.

1. Keep your commitments: He married my mom 54 years ago. He drives each day to see her at a skilled nursing facility. Not sure how much longer he can do it. I'm committed to prying the vices of life apart enough to visit with them each week while I still have them.

2. Don't think you know everything: When I was in college, I'd come home eager to share the things I was discovering and learning. He only went to the 10th grade. He said to me one day, "Son, half of being smart is knowing what you're dumb at." You're so right, Dad.

His best friends at his assisted living facility have more degrees than a thermometer. One is a retired PhD chemist and another an ornery 93 year old WW2 Corsair pilot and former test pilot for McDonald Douglas. They act like secret service agents, protecting Dad when they're together. It's amazing.

3. Speak softly but carry a big stick: Dad was and still is a very quiet man. He worked his whole life in a factory that made hickory axe handles. He always kept one under the seat of his pickup truck.

He never talked about it, but I often imagined the axe handle scene with Clint Eastwood in the movie, Pale Rider. After giving a band of thugs a spankin', came the now famous line..."There's nothing better than a good piece of hickory."

Dad was and is my hero. I know you won't see this, Dad, but I love you. See you next week.