It’s not about what you have (nice car house material things) it’s about the memories you accumulate over time with people you love. That’s what you’ll recall at the end

It’s not about what you have (nice car house material things) it’s about the memories you accumulate over time with people you love. That’s what you’ll recall at the end

Well, when I was very little I said to my dad "I wish I had a bike" He faced me, knelt down, took my little hands in his, turned them over palms facing up and said "Wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which one fills up quicker". lol. But Yep, that was my dad.

How to not be a total psychotic asshole like them

To be absolutely nothing like my parents

I was taught to be extremely independent and to take care of myself. My mother was a very young widow. When my dad was killed, she was 25 years old, with a 3 yr old (me), a 2 yr old (sis), and she was pregnant with my brother. That woman didn't depend on anyone. A few yrs later dhe she married again, but only long enough to have two more kids (Catholicism, smh). She always worked and while we weren't rich, we started every school year with new clothes and shoes. She was an excellent provider who never shirked her responsibilities by her children. As adults, myself and all of my siblings are hard working self sufficient responsible adults, because of her.

Being Honest and how to be comfortable with it. WW11 killed my father mentally and my mother did not know how to deal with it. No bitterness was ever bestowed upon us but it led to lots of many embarrassing encounters for most of my adolescence. What I never really could ever get comfortable about was that neither ever re married.

Unfortunately, it was Never Take Advice From My Mother On Anything.

Every single thing she advised me to do, for my entire life, was a bad choice. So I suppose the most valuable lesson I learned is Don't Try To Relive Your Life Through Your Children. Something I'm trying hard to apply with my own kid.

That Death can Not be Reversed!

Wallet, phone, keys.
I check for those three things every time I walk out the door. ?

"Be good. And if you can't be good, be careful."

Don't drink to excess, it makes a fool out of you. And other bad things, too.

My dad was a hard working guy. He was excellent negotiator and could close a deal at the most unexpected conditions. Back in the day life was simple in our small town, a conversation was a contract. Even when he was let down few times along the way (there is always that smarty pants), he never lost his touch and style to run bussines. Along with it, the big big proud satisfaction as a son when you see people all over town not only new him but the sense of respect and admiration because he helped so many through employment or just plain unconditional help. He passed many years away, I have always hoped that I have lived well enough to meet his standards. From my Mom, enforced discipline when I was young. The youngest of a big family, she didn't have time for any BS so I had to watch out for it. Later on when the madness was gone, she became the sweetest I bet she ever was, she just couldn't afford to let us all do as we pleased and I am pretty happy with the results. She is long gone too. Both deeply missed but happy they had their shot at life.

They taught us about the evil that is racism. Given we grew up in a very racist town in Okla, where separate restrooms and water fountains were common, our parents and grandparents were definitely not the norm.

We were very, very poor,but Mom taught me there were a gazillion ways to make Navy Beans, that our shabby, hand me down clothes were always clean, be strong and brave, live with honor and integrity, and even though we were teased and bullied, never back down. My dad taught me that being a mean, nasty bully was not the person I wanted to be, and that getting a whipping with his belt was not enough to make me cry.

Always save 10% of what you make and never, ever touch that account. Even if it's a low interest
environment, you'll still be making money for retirement/travel!

A whole lot of what not to do when dealing with people.

My dad told me once, "Remember, you are never so smart that you can't learn something from someone who is not as smart as you are."

Not everyone is meant to be a parent, and just because you CAN have
children, does not mean you SHOULD.