Advice from my Dad

Advice from my Father.

The advice I received from my Dad was both direct and indirect. The indirect were those things you would see him do. You knew it was important.

Here is some direct advice he gave.

Marry a woman who had her appendix out, has a fur coat and has lots of money. And if you could find a woman like that, why not?

Here is a video of Dad giving me that advice.

Dad was asked by my brother Paul about advice Dad would want to give to future generations. Here is a clip of that.

Indirect advice.

Use the scripture daily.

After breakfast, Dad would sit on the couch at his spot, open his Bible and go through a devotional. Looking through his Bible, I could see it was not a meaningless book to him. He would in color pencil underline scriptures. It was not an old book for use in the past it was something useful now.

Pray.
Dad did not limit his prayers to before meals, but prayer was used during trials. Heading into breakfast one morning some weeks before his death, I saw Dad holding mom's hand as they prayed. Praying through the struggles coming with Aortic Stenosis.

Save money. A lesson learned during the depression staying with him throughout his life.

Get the most out of things you have. From adding a bit of water to the ketchup to get every last drop, to trying to fix glasses when they got broken, and turning two wooden grain bins into a wood shop and wood storage.

Laugh.
 Dad loved laughing. When I was young, and I thought Mom and Dad were both away from home, I quickly changed clothes turned on TV as I enjoyed my time alone. Some strange noise was coming from the living room closet. I approached the door listening for the sound. I opened up the door, and Dad let out a loud yell scaring me. Boy did I jump. Dad laughed. He loved laughing.

Don't be afraid to say you are sorry.

October 2015, after having fallen and breaking his arm, afterwardsDad was in Manor Care in Fargo. One day he had a fight with mom. The next morning, Mom told me about their fight as I drove her to Manor Care. She stopped at the front desk to see if an appointment with a heart surgeon had been made. I went ahead, to find Dad eating breakfast. I sat next to him. He tells me “I said some mean things to your mother.” I nodded to him and said “I know”. He asked about her, I told her where she was.
When Mom came into the room Dad raised his right arm, wrapped in the fiberglass cast, waving her over to him. He reached up to her hugging her crying as he said he was sorry.

When I was younger school had a Halloween event where we would dress up in costumes. When I reached fifth grade I was past the level for that event. Mom and Dad concerned I was missing out, gathered items to make a custome.
So err on the side of helping people and learning they had no need. Better than not helping, and learn of them having great need.

Our father was a very wise man, May his wisdom guide me the rest of my days.