Tuesday Ten - Things I Learned from my Dad

This Sunday, June 16th, is Father's Day.  I thought that, since I wrote Ten Things I Learned from my Mom, I would make this week's Tuesday Ten Ten Things I Learned from my Dad!  So, here goes . . .

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Ten Things I Learned From My Dad

1.  Not to throw like a girl - My dad is a big sports fan - especially baseball and basketball.  When I was younger, I played some sports myself including basketball, softball, and tennis.  Thanks to my dad, I don't throw like a girl!  I throw a ball properly. ;-)  That's not to say that I have a super strong arm - I do not.  However, I do have a proper technique!
2.  The Importance of history - My dad loves history.  He taught high school history for over thirty years and he reads books about history all the time.  He can recite dates and spout off historical facts as if he, himself, was a history book!  Through hearing him discuss history, I have learned how important our history actually is; how every event has shaped how we live today.  It has also made me painfully aware of how much today's history books are missing and I hope I can teach my daughters as well as my dad has taught me.
3.  The importance of family - This coincides with #2, because your family IS your history.  Even if you don't like all of them; even if you don't know all of them, your family is where you come from - they are your history.  My dad has shown me how important and meaningful keeping up with family connections can be.
4.  The joy of competition -  Through sports, my dad has taught me how much fun a little competition can be.  I always enjoyed playing for the win and seeing how far my team could go.
5. You can't win 'em all -  This kind of goes along with the last one because, although winning is obviously more fun, nobody wins every time.  My dad taught me that's o.k.  You still hold your head high and just try harder the next time.
6.  Stubbornness - I realize that stubbornness can be a negative thing, but there is also something to be said for knowing yourself and not letting anything sway you away from that foundation.  My dad holds firm to his beliefs and convictions.  He has never taken the popular stance on an issue just because it was what everyone else did or because it was easier that way.  He is confident in who he is and what he believes and he does not falter.  Ever.
7.  How to treat a woman and have a strong marriage -  My mom and dad have been married for 40+ years.  Their marriage is strong because they respect each other and communicate effectively.  I have never once heard my dad raise his voice or treat my mom like anything other than an equal.  When I was old enough to begin dating and searching for "Mr. Right," I had high expectations of how I wanted to be treated in a relationship because seeing my dad with my mom taught me how a man should  treat a woman and let me know that I should not settle for anything less.
8.  To appreciate the simple things in life - My dad is the only person
I know who goes into Kilwins' with 20+ ice cream flavors from which to choose and orders vanilla every time.  He just doesn't need the frills.  He is perfectly content with the house my parents have lived in for nearly 40 years.  His car is almost older than my marriage.  And, that's o.k. with him because he realizes that there are more important things in life than just "stuff" and he is content with "simple" blessings.
9.  How to speak in front of a crowd - My dad was a teacher, so he spoke in front of students all day long.  However, I have also seen him speak in front of a church congregation and I have seen him give several speeches.  He is honestly one of the best speakers I have ever heard or seen.  He never seems the least bit nervous.  He speaks slowly and clearly.  He makes his point concisely.  I have heard many others who should take a few lessons from my dad.
10.  Faith - In my post about my mom, I said, "There was always an undertone of Faith in our house as I grew up.  It wasn't an in-your-face kind of faith, but it was always there.  That solid foundation has allowed me to further explore my own personal faith as an adult."  Of course, my dad was a big factor in that as well, so he deserves credit for it, too! 

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!  I love you and admire you some much!  I'm so glad you're my dad!!