I always thought there’s a giant stadium (the Spectrum) in my Dad’s head. Of course, not everyone could be the player or the coach, but we all made up the different parts of the game. Yes, we had the x’s and the o’s, but there were the salespeople, sportswriters, photographers, fans, janitors, and oh how the list goes on. It takes an army to fill a stadium.

But Dad was always the coach–there to guide, motivate, inspire, ignite or teach us–make sure we all paid attention to the rules.

And I never realized that more than the time I got in a fight (I know, seriously?). We were outside playing boys against girls in 4th Grade, and it somehow ended with a boy punching me, so I ripped his shirt.

I came running inside to tell my Dad. Was that kid going to get in trouble?! Everyone knew the rules; boys don’t hit girls.

But Dad didn’t side with me. He must have been consulting that great basketball rule book in his head that the referees consulted–the one about sportsmanship. It doesn’t matter who was in the wrong; apologize.

Dad pulled us aside and asked us both to apologize. The boy apologized to me, and then it was my turn.

Silence.

Then Dad, “Now say you’re sorry, Stephanie.”

More silence.

I refused to say a word. (It was on principle, that boy did, after all, hit me first).

Dad couldn’t make me apologize, so I proudly sent myself to my room.

He followed me there and sat next to me on the edge of my bed. And he didn’t yell or get upset.

Worse.

I had never heard him speak so solemnly before. He said, “I’m very disappointed in you.” It wasn’t because I got in a fight, or even that I stopped to that kid’s level; it’s because I wouldn’t apologize.

Ouch!

But that one lesson taught me more about life than I cared to admit at the time. That’s what our dads are here for.

Sometimes the lessons our dads taught us weren’t easy ones, sometimes they were more fun or repetitious, but no matter what, they all taught us how to play the game of life.

I asked on Facebook, “what the greatest life lesson your dad taught you?”

Our Father Figures Taught Us the Importance Of:

Character:

“To Thine Own Self Be True” -MJB

“HUMILITY…let your actions do the speaking.” – RA

“I was so lucky to be given the gift of my father for 40 years–40 years of watching him be gentle, generous, humble, loving, and kind to everyone.” – LM

My father is the most intuitive male that I know and quiet about it. He can size up a situation quickly. And so can I. He always told me to trust my gut. And he’s always right. He’s taught me compassion for others, how to follow my dreams, and to think about what’s next. He also taught me how to tune out the noise as well as to compartmentalize and focus when needed – SB

Hard Work & Education:

“You can be a garbage man or a doctor. It doesn’t matter. Just do your best and more importantly do what makes you happy.” – HC

“My Dad taught me a work ethic that has stayed with me to this day. He taught me to take risks and be adventurous and that whatever I want truly is in my reach if I work hard enough. God Rest his soul -RDD

When I was young, sometimes I would work with my Dad visiting clients/customers #restauranteurs or hoteliers. He always said, “Walk in the back door and say hello to the dishwasher ….. Because someday he or she will be the buyer at this fine establishment”. And right he was. When I started at the Four Seasons Chicago, I didn’t start in fine dining, but Room Service for that exact reason. I started at close to the bottom, knowing I would move up with hard work. And I did. Love you Daddy! -VMM

He put all his children through college, and when he retired at 60 years old, he went back to get his college degree. That’s how much it meant to him to get an education. -BC

Hope, Laughter & Fun:

My father taught me that a problem will always have a solution at the end of the day. Everything will work out eventually. And also the sun will always shine the next day. I miss him a lot. -LVR

“Don’t lose your bridesmaids looking for your groom.” – TBN

The power of exaggeration to make a good story even better! -RR

“Laughter is the spice of life.” -SCC

My Dad taught all his girls how to dance, waltz, foxtrot, rumba. The last night I ever danced with him, I visited him at the nursing home. They were playing old radio recordings for the residents in the hallway. I got him up, and we danced. So many residents enjoyed watching us, so many visitors and staff smiled as they passed by. I got to give back to him what he had taught me and put a smile on many more faces that day. – DB

Practicality:

“If you’re cold, put on a sweater” Boy, have I said that 1001 times to our daughters! -KP

“I’m obsessively punctual because of his example. I’m usually at least 5-10 minutes early to anything.” -MML

My smart Dad gave me tons of helpful advice. He instilled the value of education. He encouraged me to explore faraway places and understand different cultures. When I purchased expensive clothing, he would say, “remember, you can’t remortgage your closet”. It took me years until I truly realized how right he was. -LBR

“Never be late for dinner.” If we weren’t at the table for the set time, we wouldn’t eat. -EBW

Relationships & Respect:

“If at the end of the day you can count on one hand your closest friends, then you’re blessed.” -HC

Stay in touch. Even though our family is miles apart and in at least four different countries, my Dad would call for birthdays and anniversaries, after hospital stays, and to check-in. Plus, he always had a joke or story to tell. I never thought I’d miss those, but boy do I ever. – ELS

Love of family and respect for others – MA

When I told my Dad I wanted to be an artist, he took me shopping to buy a portfolio for my work. Encourage and nurture the talents you see in your kids. -KSC

“I can’t ask for you to love me, yet I will ask for you to respect me.” AO

Thinking:

😬👈🏻 “Think!” – HC (This one made me laugh so hard because I remember Dad saying it all the time, so I made a separate category for it).

“Don’t vacillate, make a decision and then live with it!” – SH

My Dad’s favorite adage was the 5 Rs: Right Reasoning Receives Rich Rewards. He exemplified honesty, optimism, and resilience. -SM

Oh, so many things! But the first that popped into my mind was his use of subtle influence, either with just a few words or with a physical prop (or both) to make his point yet let you think you were deciding the correct path. -MC

So when I asked the girls the greatest life lesson their Dad taught them, Skylar responded, “It’s kind of hard to answer; I’m only 16. You only remember lessons when you’re older in life.”

But Alexandra remembered one for her sister: don’t put your elbows on the table.

Since Alexandra was on a roll, I asked her what was hers. She had no idea.

But then she remembered one–to sing louder. She was walking Holly with her Dad, and she was practicing singing Giants In The Sky on their walk. Alex would walk far away and ask her to sing louder. She kept singing louder as he walked further away. Finally, a golfer said, “Is that from Into The Woods?” I was in that show in High School!”

We’re blessed to have such great dads! They taught us the rules of the game of life and made us who we are today!

Happy Father’s Day!