Dad Used To Teach us ---

[danny]

I chose not to be a parent after seeing how my parents behaved.

Smart man. We followed the same line of thinking.

Danny

 

[jds holler]

I guess this thread shows that fathers and father/son relationships can be beautiful, and ummmm interesting. I'll say that for the kids whose dads were less than stellar, the grandfathers, neighbors, uncles, and others who often stepped in and provided a solid male influence were and still are doing the Lords work.

Back when I was a kid, divorce was a tiny fraction of what it is now, but even though a dad was usually present, he wasn't always around much. Supporting the family was the important thing, and didn't always leave a lot of time and energy for "the youngins". My Dad is my hero because I know how hard he worked at both his job AND at home. I've frankly never been or will be the man that he was.

And then to hear snerts story, -- HOLY CRAP!! Now there's a MAN and a father!

For the guys who are doing that job now, I'd like to say thank you and "YOU'RE THE MAN"!! If we're gonna save this country it's going to take good fathers raising good sons to do it. It isn't just a thing of the past. jd

 

[ISS]

My Father was a paratrooper, (82nd ABN, the "All American) in WWII. That is the patch with the two "A"s back to back. He went over Normandy in a glider and landed about 15 miles inland. Ever see one? They make them out of 2x4's and 1/2 inch plywood. They are designed to break apart on landing.
We lived in a two story Farmhouse, top of the roof was 34 feet off the ground. On Saturdays the neighbor kids would come over. My Father would climb on the roof top, turn His back to us, yell "Geronimo" and take a giant step off. He would hit the ground in the Paratrooper side roll, jump up and yell "Airborne!". I made that jump off the roof myself, but once was enough to show him I could.
The proudest he ever was of me, that He shared publicly; was attending Ft Benning to watch me jump onto a parade ground field with my stick mates, make that impact roll and leap to my feet yelling "Geronimo". That and seeing me get off a TWA flight in St Louis after finishing my third and final tour in RVN, honorably discharged with the rank of Sgt like my older brother who also served in RVN.
He's been gone to Heaven a long time now, but none of his three sons were ever arrested.

ISS
Sua Sponte

 

[nmkid]

I'll say that for the kids whose dads were less than stellar, the grandfathers, neighbors, uncles, and others who often stepped in and provided a solid male influence were and still are doing the Lords wor

Amen 100%

 

[Cecil S.]

I owe the man that i am today to my Grandfather and like others I wandered around the "wild side" of life. But always kept work and my job as a high priority. I will never forget time spent with my Grandfather.

 

[quietburp]

My mother and father divorced around the time I was 3. I remember little. I remember asking my mother if he left because I did something wrong. Children are very self-centered. I was not the cause of the divorce, she told me.

I have had 3 step-fathers and my step-grandfather. Of those, my step-grandfather was the most consistent..

First step-father was unfaithful. Second step-father just not cut out to be a family man.

Third step-father a nice guy but a bit weird after marriage.

Otherwise, it is out mother raising us and she had a lot of determination.

And she became a born-again christian. That would influence me and eventually, when my wife started having problems, God became a source of strength for me.

Step-grandfather inspired me to "figure it out for yourself." That is a habit that I still have today. I learned how to change a flat tire, minor car maintenance. Replaced a few generators and voltage regulators ('68 Mustang), some fuel pumps, a starter motor.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I can't read some of these.

 

[Barrelhorses]

My dad passed away too young at age 43. That was about 31 years ago now. Although I'm now 51, I still don't think I'm in the same league as my dad. He knew more than me. He worked harder than I care to. He was kinder to people than I am. When he left this world, people missed his presence immediately and still talk fondly of him today. He did without to make sure we had everything we needed and a lot of what my sister and I wanted. I've often wished he was still alive to be a grandpa to my son who is now a senior in high school.

 

[jds holler]

Interesting topic. On more than one occasion, my Dad has said that the Grandfather that you knew, is not the father that I had. My Dad’s parents, my grandparents, were considerably important to us as kids. They provided stability, unconditional love, support, and kindness. They also loved each other without question. They were depression era people. The effects of which molded their lives in countless ways. I’m very different than my Dad. We get along pretty well, but have had very different life experiences, and as a result, see things quite differently.

I like this post a lot, and can relate to it also. The grandpa in his 60's or 70's is frequently a very different man than the guy who spent his earlier life leaving home every morning and catching and killing the beast so he could feed his family.
It's almost amazing that many guys ever manage to settle down and become the kind and gentle soul who can provide love and affection for his son's son. All the more amazing if he can do it with both of them. jd

 

[danny]

I can't read some of these.

Why?

Danny

 

[M-61]

Why?

Danny

Sometimes (maybe not this one) you ask a question and then you’re sorry when you hear the answer.

 

[danny]

Sometimes (maybe not this one) you ask a question and then you’re sorry when you hear the answer.

Doubt it.

Danny

 

[M-61]

Doubt it.

Danny

Interesting response.
Personally there are plenty of stories I’d rather not of heard in my life.
But, everyone is different.

 

[danny]

I can't read some of these.

There are some that I can't read. The grammar mistakes and maybe spelling make it impossible.

Danny

 

[jds holler]

I chose not to be a parent after seeing how my parents behaved.

We all can have more than one chance to be part of a child/parent relationship. If yours didn't work out too well with your parents, you could take another crack at it by becoming the parent of your own child.
Or you could do like my wife did, and just marry someone who behaves like a child. jd

 

[Acyr]

My Dad was bigger than life to me even though He never spent much time with us. He was always working making sure we had what we needed. When I got older, I asked him why he wasn't affectionate towards us. He replied that his mother only said I love you to him once in his life. I then realized he didn't know how. He was brought up by poor hard working depression era parents. I never held that against him. I just made sure I told my children I loved them every day. The best way to honor your parents is to not repeat the mistakes they made.

 

[Cecil S.]

There are some that I can't read. The grammar mistakes and maybe spelling make it impossible.

Danny

Hey Danny maybe read with your heart and not your head. Just sayin.

 

[K22]

My "Dad-isms":

1. It's what a man does, not says, that reveals his true character.

2. When you tell a lie, you will eventually have to tell 10 others to cover the first lie.

3. Why is there always time to something over but never enough time to do right the first time.

4. Adversity will either strengthen you or if you allow it, weaken you.

My dad was the toughest and smartest man I ever met yet he only completed the 3rd grade because he had to go into the mines to support his mother and siblings.

 

[ebb]

I was carpenter for over 40 years, and I liked a wooden handle hammer above all else. I have helved many over the years 8 and 10 pound sledgehammers, axes, carpenters' hatchets, many 16oz and 20 oz curved handled claw hammers. When dad passed, I had been told that there was a hatchet that belonged to his grandmother that he wanted me to take care of. I found it in his tool shed with a new handle about halfway fitted to the head. I finished it and am taking care of it as he requested. But it was not a skill he taught me. He said that the happiest times of his life was when his grandmother cooked Sunday dinner for all the family. All his ants and uncles and cousins were there and it was great. So i asked what the hatchet had to do with that??? Sunday dinner was usually fried chicken and that this was the hatchet that dispatched the chickens, he said she had probably killed 10,000 or more with this hatchet over the many years of her life. Well OK dad I will take care of her hatchet.

 

[snert]

I was carpenter for over 40 years, and I liked a wooden handle hammer above all else. I have helved many over the years 8 and 10 pound sledgehammers, axes, carpenters' hatchets, many 16oz and 20 oz curved handled claw hammers. When dad passed, I had been told that there was a hatchet that belonged to his grandmother that he wanted me to take care of. I found it in his tool shed with a new handle about halfway fitted to the head. I finished it and am taking care of it as he requested. But it was not a skill he taught me. He said that the happiest times of his life was when his grandmother cooked Sunday dinner for all the family. All his ants and uncles and cousins were there and it was great. So i asked what the hatchet had to do with that??? Sunday dinner was usually fried chicken and that this was the hatchet that dispatched the chickens, he said she had probably killed 10,000 or more with this hatchet over the many years of her life. Well OK dad I will take care of her hatchet.

My mom and dad placed memories in artifacts. My wife, on the other hand, says people are more important than things.
She is right, in the deepest sense, since things rust and ecay but people are eternal. However, on this side of death, things can carry memories.
I have knives my dad made from files "borrowed" from J and L Steel Corp. Ugly and stained, they still hold an edge better than any store bought wunderknife i have owned. Mom's black handled scissors remain sharp and handy. Our 1940 Fridgidaire fridge still keeps the beverages cool and does so cheaply. Grandpa's tack hammer is the perfect tool for brads, tacks and small nails in tight places. I still have the first baseball I ever got from my grandpa who once tried out for the Pirates in about 1920. Dad's footstool, made from four bean cans tied together with twine, fitted with a plywood rouond top and bottom and covered with upholstery (many times) remains a standby over 75 years now.
Stuff doesn't last. But stuff often holds a connection to people, and that is what matters.