Posted By Kathleen David on November 14, 2010
Today is my Dad’s Birthday. He has achieved a lot in his life and continues to do so.
So today I am making a list of things I wouldn’t have done/learned if my Dad hadn’t been my Dad
1) Power tools and construction. My basic tool lessons and safe lessons came from my dad. He taught me that you need to wear safety goggles even if they are uncomfortable because it is impossible to replace an eye (I can still hear him saying that to me.) He also showed me the importance of measuring twice and cutting once. A lot of my skills as a carpenter, set builder, museum builder and general jill of all trades comes from the things my father taught me.
2) Reading is fun. Well both of my parents taught me that but my father introduced me to science fiction and fantasy. My parents also kept an eye on what I was reading to make sure that I could read it and it was appropriate especially after I had graduated to the adult section of the library. My father also introduced me to Pogo which has been a life long love of mine.
3) Doing something in life that you want to do. I have talked to so many people who feel that they found their career in life despite their parents. I have to say that my parents always supported me in my varied careers. I went into the theater with the support of my parents. They came to the shows that I stage managed. They supported me when I told them I was moving to New York. I know it wasn’t an easy thing for them to do but they did. They have told all of their children to pursue their dreams and they have been there with us along the way.
4) The importance of language. I knew that I had a rather extensive vocabulary at a rather early age. My parents made sure that I used words correctly and that my grammar was up to snuff. If you have met me, you probably have a hard time placing any accent on me. I grew up in the south but you wouldn’t know it from talking to me. My parents made doggone sure that we didn’t pick up the regional accent but spoke what I came to call newsman English which was how the anchors spoke on national news.
5)The importance of parenting your child as an individual rather than as cookie-cutter parenting. I have two brothers and a sister. In some ways we are exactly alike and in others we couldn’t be more different. My parents taught me that you have to deal with each child differently. So things that worked with me didn’t work with the others. That has helped me be a better parent.
6) The importance of Hobbies. My father has had a series of hobbies that he spent a lot of time perfecting. He can copper enamel pins. I have several that he made me including a lightsaber pin. He is an excellent photographer and digital cameras have only made his life easier. He is a doodler and can sketch things out very well (a skill I wish I had). I learned that creative is a matter or trial and error. Even if something doesn’t turn out as you want, you can still learn something from it and sometimes you end up with something better than what you thought you were going to do.
7)The importance of being a responsible citizen. From voting during election day to finding out what was going on in both local government and around the world. My parents taught me to look outside the borders of the US and see the world as a whole. And that the US was part of the whole and what we did as a people reflected on our nation.
I am so very grateful that my Da is my Da.
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