From My Dad. It's Father's Day. All the kids and grandkids have either been over here or called me. I received numerous cards, most quite humorous. I am lucky to have such a devoted family, more important to me now than ever as I approach my 70th birthday in a few months. But the main thing that comes into my mind on this day is my own father and the things he taught me. There is no legacy of material goods that can compare with the value of the things he taught me.
1. When You Make a Mistake, Admit It And Do What You Can to Correct It ASAP.
Before I was born, my mom and dad moved to Kentucky so my mom could be with her mother when I was born. My Dad found himself working in the dark misery of a coal mine. Kentucky was rainy and damp and there was little work to be had besides in the coal mines. When I was six weeks old, they made their way back to Colorado where our entire family was better off.
2. There Is Always A Way. Until I was seven years old, we lived in a series of run-down rental properties. Every thing from converted barns to tool sheds. Mom and Dad had no money to buy a home and not enough income to make mortgage payments. When the Mile High Poultry Farm closed down, the company practically gave away their old chicken coops to anyone who would tear them down. Dad acquired several of them and tore them apart piece by piece. We then removed the nails and used the lumber to build the house I grew up in. I followed him around from start to finish. I had a little crow bar (which I still have) and I did what little I could to help. My mother and I removed nails and stacked lumber while Dad worked on the house. That was almost 60 years ago and the house is still being lived in today.
3. How Much You Earn Is Not Important. My Dad became financially independent on very little income. I still can't figure out how he did it. He was frugal but not stingy. He knew the world didn't owe him anything and he went out and worked for everything he got.
4. Being Poor Is a State Of Mind. When I was 12 years old, I used to cross the road in front of our house and lay in the cool green grass under the apple trees. In the fall there were apples every where and I ate all I could but most of them rotted on the ground. One day I got this great idea and I ran home to tell my Mom we should pick up all those apples and give them to poor people. Mom's reply was "Son, we are poor people." Nobody ever told me. There was always an attitude of "we'll get what ever we need." And we did.
5. Teach Your Children to Take Care of Themselves. I have many clients who sacrifice much of their wealth to care for children who are old enough to take care of themselves. I don't know how he taught me this, but from the age of 13, my pride wouldn't let me to ask my Dad for money. I saw how hard he worked for what we had. I knew I was expected to do the same thing. I did my best to earn my keep. I wasn't always able to do this but I never stopped trying.
I guess this is about the best I can do to pay tribute to my Father on this day. In case you think I am referring to a memory, let me tell you the best part. As I approach my 70th birthday, my father is still here. Not just in spirit but in the flesh. He doesn't walk quite as fast and he gets out of his chair slowly but he is still teaching me. He is showing me how to grow old with dignity and pride. As my brother says, "He'll live to throw dirt on both of us." I hope he does.
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