What did your Father teach you?

This Sunday, June 18th, we celebrate Father's Day in the U.S. I invite you to share a lesson your Father taught you. Here's my story.

Last weekend our family got together in Michigan to celebrate my Dad's 89th birthday. Everyone had a great time. Among the laughing, tears, and activities we shared stories of what he has taught us over the years. He asked me to share the story below with my brothers and sisters that he gave me just a couple days earlier.

Jim Thorpe was a Native American athlete. He played baseball, football, and basketball. He was also the first Native American to win two gold medals at the 1912 Summer Olympics. On the second day of decathlon competition, just minutes before he was to compete, his shoes went missing. Try to imagine a runner faced with several events remaining and discovering his shoes are gone. Remember, these were different times before sponsors and multiple backup plans.

Jim started asking his fellow runners if anyone had a spare pair. One gentleman said he had one shoe he could borrow. As it turns out that shoe was a little small, but Thorpe put it on anyway. He then found a second shoe in the garbage. Unlike the first shoe, this one was too large so he put on an extra pair of socks to make it fit. He didn't exactly have ideal circumstances to compete, but nothing was going to stop him. As it turns out, he took gold in the 1500 meter run with his mismatched shoes and extra socks and did quite well in the other events. A motivating story.

Even at 89 years old, my Father continues to teach me valuable lessons. This time it was to remind me to never give up. Never quit. Never get so discouraged that you can't function.

As I reflect on raising our two girls (now grown and married) I am reminded of a similar line my Dad taught me - I said to them every day as they headed off to school - "Do your best." I didn't ask for "A"s, all I ask is they do their best. As long as they tried, I wouldn't be disappointed. I couldn't be prouder of both of them today. Thanks Dad.

So I ask you, what did your Dad teach you?