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Intense1 · 11-03-2006, 12:14 AM

1. My dad was the most intelligent man I've ever met, even though he only finished schooling at a 9th grade level (his teacher told the class they had to bring a quarter the next day to school and was derisive when he told her his parents didn't have it; he quit.) He taught himself via books - his passion was reading, particularly history, and darned if his wasn't the easiest Christmas gift of all - just get him a book about Thomas Jefferson or Abe Lincoln, perhaps the writings of Abigail Adams. He read all of our history textbooks when we brought them home. When he died, he was researching the Lewis and Clark Expidition. I think he secretly had a crush on Sacajaweah. (sp?)

He was an Auto-Diesel mechanic. He worked hard and provided for his family, no matter what the challenge. He took delight in the little things - going on walks with my mom, looking at the birds in the trees. He got my mom binoculars for an anniversary present one year. She still has them.

He was harsh when I first told him I was meant to be a missionary amongst the Japanese, as he was in WWII. After a few years, he found faith in God and then began asking me how my Japanese friends were. He was able to change, even as an old man. He became more tender, and even wiser.

2. I am pretty much past the years of having kids, but I've tried to model a lot of what my dad taught me in how I led my staff over the years. I've tried to model constant learning, show the joy in the simple. To help them understand that a job is worth doing well. I think it stuck.

He was the best man I've ever known.

11-03-2006, 12:14 AM	#23 (permalink)
Intense1 Crazy Location: Music City burbs	1. My dad was the most intelligent man I've ever met, even though he only finished schooling at a 9th grade level (his teacher told the class they had to bring a quarter the next day to school and was derisive when he told her his parents didn't have it; he quit.) He taught himself via books - his passion was reading, particularly history, and darned if his wasn't the easiest Christmas gift of all - just get him a book about Thomas Jefferson or Abe Lincoln, perhaps the writings of Abigail Adams. He read all of our history textbooks when we brought them home. When he died, he was researching the Lewis and Clark Expidition. I think he secretly had a crush on Sacajaweah. (sp?) He was an Auto-Diesel mechanic. He worked hard and provided for his family, no matter what the challenge. He took delight in the little things - going on walks with my mom, looking at the birds in the trees. He got my mom binoculars for an anniversary present one year. She still has them. He was harsh when I first told him I was meant to be a missionary amongst the Japanese, as he was in WWII. After a few years, he found faith in God and then began asking me how my Japanese friends were. He was able to change, even as an old man. He became more tender, and even wiser. 2. I am pretty much past the years of having kids, but I've tried to model a lot of what my dad taught me in how I led my staff over the years. I've tried to model constant learning, show the joy in the simple. To help them understand that a job is worth doing well. I think it stuck. He was the best man I've ever known. __________________ (none yet, still thinkin')