This past Thursday my dad passed away from complications resulting from his surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his throat. I elected not to speak at his funeral, because in my grief I simply don't know what to say, and even if I did, there's no way I'd be able to say it. However, I felt it might be therapeutic to share a few things that I learned from my dad with my friends here on ActiveRain.
#1 - WORK HARD! One of the things I most admired about my dad was his unbelievable work ethic. He was diagnosed at age 15 with ulcerative colitis, and after a botched surgery, was destined to a life of pain and struggle. However, he never let that keep him from providing for his family. In the early days, he worked long hours at an automotive repair shop, and later in the insurance adjustment business. At one point, he even drove 90 minutes EACH way to work, leaving at 7:30 a.m. and not returning until 6:30 p.m. (or later) each night...all so my brother and I would not have to move schools.
#2 - DON'T RELY ON THE GOVERNMENT (if you can help it). - From the time he was 18 years old, my dad could have easily received disability pay from the government. His doctors even recommended that he not work, so he wouldn't put his body through the rigors of a 9 to 5 job. However, his personal pride, and refusal to accept the label "disabled", got him up each and every morning to earn his own wage, and provide for his small family.
#3 - KEEP YOUR WORD - My dad and I didn't have a lot of long talks, and most of our conversations were limited to sports and politics. However, I always remember him making a big deal about keeping your word. Whenever we would commit to something in high school, we were never allowed to quit. If we told someone we would do something, and they were relying on us, then dad was going to see to it that we did it!
That life lesson has stuck with me through all these years, and today I am radical about keeping my word, even on the smallest of things. I want my kids, friends, and clients to know that they can rely on my word, and that I will do what I say I will do. Of course, that sometimes has me up WAYYYY past my bedtime playing a game of monopoly with my 6 year old (because I said I would), but sleep is far less important than passing on the lessons of my father to my wonderful children.
Dad, you will be terribly missed, but a part of you will live on in me, and many generations to come as we walk out the principles that you demonstrated in your life. I love you...and I'll see you on the other side!
Mark Edward Robinson, Sr ~ August 31st, 1953 - September 29th, 2011
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