This Sunday is Father’s Day-which always makes me a little teary eyed-I am a true Daddy’s Girl-I always have been. Anyone who reads my writing knows I think Pap hung the Sun and the Moon.
Ever since I can remember-I’ve thought he was the wisest person I knew-not only the wisest but the kindest as well.
Like many Fathers, Pap imparted wise counsel on living a good life to my brothers and me. But sometimes it’s the little tidbits of advice that stick in my mind. For example:
*Never go home without at least a half a tank of gas in your car-cause you never know what might happen during the night. (you don’t know how often I hear Pap’s voice in my head when I drive my car into the garage with the needle sitting on E)
*Use your best first-that way as you progress forward you’ll always be using your best.(seems Pap has a different outlook than folks who say ‘save your best for last’)
*If you hurt yourself-rub it has hard as you can and it’ll get the soreness out. (One time when Paul was about 10, the mayo fell out of the frig and landed on his foot, as he went limping into the living room-Pap put his foot on Paul’s and started pressing down hard-at first Paul resisted but then he agreed it made if feel better and let Pap continue to put pressure on his sore foot)
Did your Father impart his great wisdom to you?
Tipper
not my dad, but mama told me her dad always said “eat the best first and you’ll always eat the best.” he was born around 1880, in alabama, i believe.
Seems Pap has a lot of good wisdom to pass along. I do the hard rubbing to an injury he talked about, especially when I stub my toe on something.
Our Dad has passed on, but he left us with values that we use everyday of our lives. Work hard, be good and kind, and help others when you can. He didn’t make much, raised 7 children on his salary, and was loved and respected by many. He made us laugh too which was better than gold.
Our Grandad also passed this on to me. Work hard, dance when you can, and give thanks to the Lord above for all you have.
Two great men who taught me how to be as independent as I am. xxoo
What a sweet post on your pap! I really miss my dad, it’s been so long now, it’s hard to remember much.
Loved your tribute to your dad, Tipper. I like the cute picture of you sitting on his lap, too.
Tipper,
Pap sure has taught you some great lessons.
This is an awesome tribute to him. He should be proud.
Dad taught me many things. He has been gone for 28 years in August and I often wish he were here to ask advice of. I’ll have a tribute on tonight’s post.
Blessings for a great Father’s Day weekend.
Mary
Your dad is coolness itself. Such wisdom and insight.
My dad is a source of wisdom, too. One of his quirkiest: “Nobody likes the pickle on the McDonald’s hamburger. But McDonald’s sells it to everyone with the pickle, anyway. Tell ’em to change and you shut the system down.” I think of the pickle story whenever I am confronted with bureaucracy.
My Dad was very good at seeing a problem and fixing it with what was at hand. One was a door closer that involved eyebolts, twine,a plastic cigar tube and lead shot. Dad liked to draw and paint seascapes and building “stuff” in his workshop. However what I remember most about him were his laugh and the way he could hug-powerful hugs! That and singing On Top of Old Smokey when we went on car vacations. He is still loved and missed daily by his family, 24 years after he went “home”.
His word of wisdom to me when I got my own apartment? “If it doesn’t smell good, don’t eat it”. 🙂
I’m always glad that my dad made me learn to drive a stick/manual car – that way I can drive anything!
Hope you have a great weekend!
This was so sweet, Tipper! I’ve always been a Daddy’s girl too.
My daddy was/is a carpenter and I remember following him around in his shop when I was little. I probably know more about power tools and woodworking than most men do!
Daddy always told me:
Never leave home without enough money to get back. That advice has saved me on more than one occasion.
He also said that nobody has any business driving a car if they can’t change the oil or a flat tire. He made sure I knew how to do both before he let me behind the wheel.
And he also said “don’t say something unless you want the whole world to hear it.”
You know he did. Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Then you’ll know what you know and what the other guy knows.
And bad words are a sign of a small mind.
And many more.
My dad god rest his soul was a hard working man who never stopped and who could always figure out a problem with a fix.
I like to think I got my work ethics from dad although I don’t think I will ever be as good as dad.
Tipper, I know Pap and he is, indeed, a fine man with a gentle wisdom. You have a lot of his traits!
My Dad and I were not as close as you and Pap. I know things now that I didn’t when I was a child.. he was the one who took me to the new schools when we moved, he was the one who went to school if there was a problem. I now understand that he and I share some of the same strengths and weaknesses. He had a fine intellect and I find that I am attracted to smart men. He had an ability to do things with his hands and I find myself drawn to woodwork and other things with my hands. He was kind and sensitive.
It is really nice to remember my father and all these good things about him. He has been gone a long time. The Deerhunter was small when he made the transition to another world.
Thanks for reminding me!
My dad would put 7-up on my mosquito bites to make them stop itching!
Tipper just loved the tribute to your Dad. My Dad grew up in the depression era and cotton picking era…..in a family of 13 children. There are so many things that come back to me in my day to day living that I learned from him. Loved your words. Have a happy Father’s Day weekend, blessings,Kathleen
Yes he did. So listen to your Pap. My dad died when he was very young, but he made it through the basics with me. I still miss him after 46 years. Pappy
My dad taught me how to work. It was tough learning sometimes, but I worked in the garden from a young age. By the time I was 11 or 12, it was my responsibility. I worked at his business, too. Always the drudge jobs for little or no pay. But I don’t regret a bit of it. As I got older, I always had good jobs. Starting in high school, I never had want of a job, and usually they were the best ones.
Father’s Day is always sad for me. My dad died the day before Father’s Day when he was only 47. I was a Daddy’s girl, too. He always told me to get where I was going early. Never be late. You don’t know what you will miss if you show up late. My brother and I are ALWAYS early to anything we go to. I had to show Casper about the gas tank never being more than half full. I have nagged him forever about that. 🙂 Give your dad a hug from me. He is so sweet.