Word Lover, Tool Buyer, Loud Talker, Dad

Now that I’ve published a book about the lessons my dad taught me, I found myself struggling to draft something meaningful to post about Father’s Day. What else could I possibly say to honor my late dad that would sound better than the words found in my book? But as I sat silently in my office, staring at a blank screen, I remembered my dad’s unique characteristics, beliefs, and actions. Yep, that’s it. So, here are a few of his gems.

When you fall in love with a word, use it often.

Behoove was a word that my dad used often. I never remembered hearing him use the word, and then one day...Bam! It seemed as if the word “behoove” made an appearance each time my dad spoke. “It would behoove you to follow through with that.” “It would behoove you to buy it now before it’s no longer available.” “It would behoove you…” It would behoove you all to find a word that you like to use and use it often. Make it your own, make it funny, make it memorable.

Investing in the tools you may need, saves you time later.

My dad “being handy” and putting something together for me on Christmas Eve 1981.

When I need a tool for most things outside of or around my home, I have it and I have my dad to thank for it. When I bought my current home, my dad was adamant that I have the tools needed to care for it. Newly divorced, I didn’t negotiate to keep items like that from my former marriage or home.  So, here I was with a new home, and nothing equipping me to care for it. While pushing our way through Lowe’s, and my dad meticulously studying items and then adding them to the cart, I would comment, “I don’t need that.” To which he would respond, “You’ll need it at some point.” He was right, and I’m still reminded of it during random times, like when I replaced the license plate cover on my car with a new “Nebraska Alumni” frame. Sure enough, sitting in my tool collection, was the unique Allen wrench I needed. Thanks, dad.

Talk loudly.

My dad was a loud guy. I recall sitting in restaurants when I was middle-school age (in my experience, the age when one seems to be most embarrassed by their parents) and saying, “Dad! People can hear you.” To which he responded, “I don’t care. And you know why? Because most people aren’t listening anyway.” I believe this was my dad’s subtle way of saying, “most people aren’t paying as much attention to you as you think they are.” Because they aren’t and they don’t. Life’s too short. Talk loudly – whenever and wherever you want. 

So, this year, let’s be thankful for the uniqueness of our dads and father figures, uncles and brothers. Their distinct characteristics, beliefs, and actions make life more interesting and more helpful. And if yours is still here to answer the phone, it would behoove you to call them and tell them that.