Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from your mother. (Proverbs 1:8 NET).
“You’re never too old to learn.”
“Get all the knowledge you can.”
“Make the most of your opportunities.”
The driving quest to learn and improve continued for my dad until his final days. Yet that, along with his love for the fine art of communication, proved his undoing as a young man.
With a limited formal childhood education, Dad sought every possible learning experience in adulthood. Tight finances in the early years prevented many luxuries, yet he managed to take several college and community education classes after obtaining his general education degree (GED). He firmly believed in using his head for more than a hat rack.
You’re never too young to make mistakes.
In Dad’s work on our family farm and as an insurance agent, a good memory provided an extra edge. One of his favorite classes, well known and quite popular, promised memory improvement. How he loved to show off for the rest of the family and anyone else he could corner. Tossing out a challenge to remember long lists of information, he became quite adept in this new skill. Classes stretched over several weeks during the worst of winter weather. Snow blew, ice stung, and the wind howled, but they failed to slow him down.
Dad’s work usually required a trip on Fridays to the regional office near my maternal grandmother’s house. My mom, sister, and I occasionally visited with her until Dad’s return. Of course, he had to demonstrate his exceptional abilities to Granny as well. After a brief visit on a bitterly cold day, he left us as usual but failed to return at the expected time.
We began wringing our hands, with eyes peeled to the window. Finally, Dad eased into the driveway. His stroll through the yard took forever. When he entered the living room, Mom’s questions flew. “Where have you been? Are you alright? We were worried to death!”
Always quick in conversation, he appeared particularly reluctant to answer. He sheepishly looked at his feet, mumbled a bit, and then summoned the courage to admit, “I forgot to pick you up.” He had traveled several miles beyond Granny’s house before he remembered we were there.
His humiliation was far from complete.
Following a fair amount of good-natured ribbing, Granny said, “Well, take off your coat and sit a spell.” His hesitation puzzled everyone. Another round of delaying tactics preceded his acknowledgment, “I forgot to wear my belt.”
However, Dad’s embarrassment did not diminish his enthusiasm for the class. Within a couple of days, he returned to sharing any newfound skills with everyone far and wide.
Never let mistakes hold you back.
In spite of suffering torment when he stumbled in his drive for knowledge, Dad refused to let that slow him down. He kept his mind as well as his eyes wide open for opportunities to learn and serve others. He always surrounded himself with books, magazines, and every newfangled gadget he could get his hands on, if it would expand his mind and spiritual understanding. The stack of books beside his recliner may have been an accident waiting to happen, but perish the thought of moving a single item. Until he read it, no one dared move it. If he really liked it, let it remain.
Lessons learned from Dad’s example:
- Don’t allow life’s circumstances to defeat you.
- Work, study, and play hard.
- Make the most of every moment.
- Acknowledge and learn from mistakes.
- Above all, embrace relationships with God and family.
We enjoyed giving Dad a hard time. Nevertheless, we’re thankful he passed on his passion for learning and love for God to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Through his words and deeds, he taught lessons we will never forget.
Hi Diana,
My dad had only elementary school education but he studied by himself to pass the hardest exam all the way to become a judge. He became a Christian influenced by a Japanese judge who was sent to Korea because he was a Christian. Many Asians hate Japanese because of their harsh ruling but there were some real Christians in Japan. Your story made me to understand you more. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing, SoonDuk. I have learned more about you as well. Miss you.
Beautiful and wonderful lessons learned from your Dad. How precious!
Thank you, Melissa. He was a great dad who taught everyone so much.
As a child into my adult years up to your dads final days I always learned something from him in each visit.
A very wise and loving person. I still in my mind can see me sitting on a knee in his big rocker reading or telling a story of some ssort.Enjoyed this read.
They’ll recall their father (always their father, seldom their mother) at the grill, sometimes flipping burgers, other times smoking a whole hog. That sense memory is often the inspiration for a lifelong barbecuing passion.
My dad was also the one who grilled. Thanks for a great memory.