Life Lessons From My Dad

Instead of my usual Sunday Inspiration today I am going to share the lessons that I was taught by the man that chose to be a father to my sister and me.

My dad is the most magnificent and magical man in my life. He has been of the few constants in my life since I was 12 years old. Yes, he started dating my mom 34 years ago. He is much older and now in his 90's and already had a family of 1 son and 3 daughters. The last thing he wanted at that time was a 12 and 9-year-old. He was done raising kids and was done with marriage and was happy being the bachelor and being on the golf course 7 days a week. Well, that plan didn't quite unfold as he expected. Ok, so it took them until 2011 to finally get married but in that space of time, our little family was created. Today's father day is bittersweet and the truth is time is fleeting.

My dad, and always has been, my biggest supporter and the most incredible source of inspiration. My younger sister feels the same, but this is less about her (sorry, not sorry), and more about me and the admiration I have for a man who taught me how to live and probably doesn't even realize it!

For the record, my mom’s pretty damn magical, too (but Peggy's magic is saved for another day). This is a tribute to my dad and all the important life lessons he has taught me, and my sister, over the years. Hopefully, some of these lessons will come in handy for you, too:

1. He taught me that education is everything and that if you wanted to achieve anything in life, education was the foundation to build from.

2. He taught me that life is about learning and that seeking the truth would teach me more about myself, and the world, than anything else I could imagine.

3. He taught me that independence comes with responsibility, and he allowed me to learn that the hard way.

4. He taught me I can do anything I put my mind to ― if only I would believe in myself.

5. He taught me that a good book is everything.

7. He taught me that procrastination isn’t cool, and that’s a lesson I’m still learning.

8. He taught me that my words matter and that I should always write and say what I mean. Just a side note, he still sends me handwritten notes in the mail, and what he doesn't know is that I have kept most of them.

9. He taught us that grammar and spelling are important ― and that editing is, too.

10. He taught me, school never ends because life schools us every day.

11. He taught me that time is life’s most valuable resource, and what I do with it is a reflection of who I am.

12. He taught me that family is fundamental, and love is our foundation.

13. He taught me that kindness is key and that while “it’s nice to be important, it’s more important to be nice.”

14. He taught me how to handle my money, and that if I “look[ed] after the pennies, the dollars would look after themselves.” This is a lesson that I am finally understanding and living.

15. He taught me no one is ever too old to learn or try new things, and that we should always be willing to try anything (within reason).

16. He taught me that “I love you” means more when you show it than when you say it — that love needs to be felt, not just said.

17. He taught me to be grateful for my blessings, and how to find faith freely.

18. He taught me that simplicity is the goal, and clutter is the devil.

19. He taught me how to balance humility with confidence, and that those two traits would get me far in life.

20. He taught me that no matter how badly or how often I fumble, he always has my back.

21. He taught me that people constantly evolve and that the woman I want to be tomorrow can always be a better version of the woman I am today.

22. He taught me that no matter how far apart we are, he knows I will always love him.

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