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But the more I work with people at the end of their lives, or after a loved one has passed, I’ve come to understand that the greatest inheritance one can ever leave behind is their love and legacy.
I was recently debating out loud at work over a decision and I mentioned something my Dad had told me in the past. Bonnie said to me, “Does your Dad have any idea what an influence he has had on you? Do you know how many times you bring him up and think what he would say or do when you go to make a decision?”
It’s true that my Dad has had a huge influence on my life. I am very fortunate to have been raised by such a good man and father. As I think about Father’s Day, I think about the wonderful gifts he has given me over the years and how proud I am to be his daughter. (My mom is awesome too but I’ll save that for a Mother’s Day post!)
Thank you, Dad for all you have done for me and for the strong values we’ve inherited from you: Here are my top 10 favorite values from you:
1. Stay Active. My Dad is almost 70, and he still surfs every morning and does not eat anything with sugar. I have so many memories of him running, using exercise machines, and playing basketball. I even remember him lying dead for a day or two on his bed after running a full marathon. So, when I wake up each morning, the first thing I do after situating the kids is work out. Maybe one day I’ll go sugar free.
2. Save Your Money. My Dad is a great saver. I knew the term ‘nest egg’ before I knew where kids came from. He modeled for me the importance of living debt free and living below your means. I once asked him for lunch money as a teenager and he handed me two dollars and said to pay him back. The man treats his cash with care.
3. Have Great Credit. When I was sixteen, my dad sat me down and said he was worried because he sees a lot of kids like me getting pressured when they go to college. I was mortified he was referring to boyfriends when he surprised me and said, “and that’s why you need to always have good credit and not get pressured into signing up for a credit card.” His advice seemed strange at the time, but I remembered it the first time I was on campus and saw the credit card booths. Years later when I was buying a car I told the finance rep that story and she smiled and said “well you obviously listened. Your credit is excellent.” Good tip Dad.
4. Stay Married. My parents have been married... To read the rest click here!
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