What title do you value most in your life? For me, it’s “father.” As Father’s Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on this cherished role and the man who showed me what it means to wear this title with honor.
My own father was an extraordinary man who shaped my understanding of what it means to lead a meaningful life. He wasn’t just a dad—he was an unconventional educator, an entrepreneur, an inventor, and a fierce champion for the underdog. His life demonstrated that our titles aren’t given to us; they’re earned through our actions and choices.
Learning from an Unconventional Teacher
Dad never followed the expected path. While education was his profession, he expanded far beyond classroom walls. He built a motor home from scratch when others would have bought one or gone without. He created the GED program for over-the-road truckers, recognizing that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. He launched multiple side businesses while maintaining his primary career.
What makes these accomplishments even more remarkable was his refusal to be limited by significant physical challenges. He lost a leg to polio at age 17—a devastating setback for anyone, but especially for a young man in an era with fewer accommodations and opportunities for those with disabilities. Later in life, he lost an eye to retinal detachment in his late sixties.
These weren’t just medical facts of his life—they were challenges he transformed into demonstrations of resilience. He showed me that:
- Limitations exist primarily in our minds, not our bodies
- Creativity flourishes when conventional paths are blocked
- Humor can transform struggle into strength
His approach to these challenges taught me more than any formal lesson could have. When faced with obstacles, I often think about how my father would have approached them—with determination, ingenuity, and often a joke to lighten the moment.
The Legacy of a Can-Do Attitude
What I treasure most about my father wasn’t his accomplishments, impressive as they were. It was his unwavering can-do attitude. He approached life with the conviction that solutions existed for every problem—they just needed to be discovered or created.
His creativity wasn’t limited to his professional endeavors. It infused everything he did, from solving household problems to finding ways to make family time more meaningful. And through it all, his fun-loving humor made even difficult times bearable.
This Father’s Day, I’m profoundly grateful for the example my father set. He showed me that our value isn’t determined by our limitations but by how we respond to them. He demonstrated that creativity, determination, and good humor can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
Most importantly, he taught me that the title “father” isn’t just about biology—it’s about showing up, overcoming challenges, and creating a legacy of resilience and love that outlasts us.
As we celebrate fathers this weekend, I’m taking time to remember these lessons. Who are you grateful for? What lessons have they taught you that continue to shape your life? The greatest gift we can give to those who have influenced us is to carry their best qualities forward.