The March 2025 AR Challenge: Sharing The Gift Of Who You Are is for members on ActiveRain. The inspiration for this challenge comes from the 2002 Commencement Speech from Mr. Rogers, "It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood." Follow the link above for instructions, criteria, and how points will be distributed. Below is the story about my father and the profound impact he had by shaping me into who you think you know today:
I am my father's third child. Eventually, we were a family of seven: Parents and five girls. Although I always knew he wanted a boy, I heard the story about the day I was born. My mother told me, our family Doctor told my father I was going to be his first son. He was so happy. But on the day, I was born, my mother said, he nearly punched the doctor in the nose, when the Doc said: Are you trying to start an all-girl baseball team?
My father was an inspiration in many ways. He was always surrounded by females, even the dog was a girl. This was the first marriage for both of my parents, and they stayed married. This year, he would have been 100 years old. Even though he would have loved to have a son, it didn’t stop him from showing us girls how much he loved us and cared. My earliest memories are of him always taking responsibility for our family. I am my father's daughter, and he put standards in place, including teaching me skills to enjoy life. Because of him, I learned how to:
- Play Baseball and play fairly.
- Ride a Tricycle and watch out for others on the sidewalk.
- Ride a Bicycle with Training Wheels!
- Ride a two-wheeler Bicycle without falling down!
- Hike in the Woods!
- Fish on shore and in the boat!
- Barbeque for our weekly summer and Fall picnics!
These few activities taught me how to be a team player, always be fair, and to be careful when learning anything new that you don't hurt or can cause harm to others. When you go out into the woods or into the world, always be careful, pay attention, and stay safe. Whether you're on the street, sidewalk, on the shore, or in a boat, follow the rules. Keep your eyes open and stay balanced so you don't hurt yourself or others.
Nor could I forget and never stop being grateful for my father who cared:
He took me to the Eye Doctor for new Eyeglasses!
He rushed me to the Hospital from Riverview Amusement Park when I was in an accident!
He rushed me to the Hospital in time before my Appendix ruptured!
He rushed me to the Hospital when a merchant left a pipe on the curb that fell on my head, leaving me on the sidewalk unconscious!
He rushed me out of the Dentist Office when I called him after getting married because the doctor pulled my wisdom teeth out and I didn’t stop bleeding!
My father taught me to be grateful. He explained I am responsible for my health and "never put off until tomorrow, what you can do today." If you think something is wrong, tell someone! Keep your eyes and ears open, especially when you're in public. Get references for doctors before you schedule an appointment. And most of all, you're never too old to say thank you.
My dad also taught me important life lessons:
To always act like a lady: He reminded me before leaving the house to always be a lady and dress appropriately!
To always be careful how I appeared to others, especially boys and men.
To always strive to be respected, and to remember you start with self-respect.
To never lie, cheat, or steal.
To always be helpful. For example, from the time I was capable of picking up a hammer, he taught me how to pound nails in the picket fence and help him mend fences and wooden steps.
To always be punctual: That’s how you get a job; and hopefully, keep a job.
To never be late: That’s how you earn respect.
To read the Newspaper in addition to books.
We have invisible gifts. From my father, I especially remember the sacrifices Veterans, do for our country. My dad always bought poppies on Remembrance Day. Also, he always kept change in his pockets for the Salvation Army and homeless people living in Chicago alleys. Plus, we always went to the Memorial Day's Parade, and the Fourth of July Parade. My dad was my Hero. He volunteered at 17 to serve during the WW11. At home, he believed in keeping everything clean, running a tight ship, and always being on time.
I never realized how much I would miss my dad after he passed away. When I got the news on the morning after Thanksgiving Day, I was crushed. My heart hurt so much. I never knew how much pain I would feel, after he was gone. To heal, I kept a journal and wrote about the good things that I learned from him. So, in passing, if there is ever a time when I did something for you, and you appreciated it, just know, I am my father's daughter. Whatever I learned from him, I pass on to you.
Thanks Lew Corcoran for being a fine host with me on this journey for the March 2025 AR Challenge: Sharing the Gift of Who You Are. I appreciate all you've done and thankful you didn't hesitate to say yes.
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