On June 19, we will celebrate our dads.

I am fortunate to still have my dad with us. My dad taught me how to drive, requiring me to wear my “driving shoes” rather than the high heel shoes I wore. He taught me how I should expect to be treated by guys who wanted to date me – they should at least shower before picking me up and should open doors for me.

He also made me eat all the food on my plate before I could leave the dinner table – especially peas which I despise. Once, I gave peas to the dog. She left all the skins to the peas on the floor and I got caught – having to stay at the table until I ate the peas.

My dad played a key role in the many wonderful childhood memories I have.

Rob Kenney is a YouTube dad who teaches people how to do all kinds of things dads usually teach their kids such as tying a tie, tying a knot, fixing a flat tire and so much more. His channel, “Dad, How do I ...” has over 2 million subscribers. He said he started the channel to teach life lessons he never learned from his own father, who he said walked out on his family when he was a child.

I went to Facebook to ask for the best advice received, lessons learned and best memories of dad.

Carol said the following about her dad. “My father taught me the meaning of love itself. He worked long hard days yet always found the time to play. He taught me the value of hard work and what it is to know that we are all the same. No one is better than anyone else. He taught me honesty and trust. He gave me far more than he taught me. When I was practically a single mom, it was he who stepped up as a father figure. There is nothing the two of us cannot talk about. He is now a caregiver to my mother. Yet again an example of his selflessness.”

“A friend of mine was about to have his third girl and asked my dad if he had any advice since he was the only man among four women,” Kathy H. said. “My dad’s advice was ... don’t expect to get more than five minutes in the bathroom at a time!”

“My dad was tall, blond with curly hair and blue eyes,” Loretta said. “Being an office worker, he always wore a suit and tie. I never saw him in bluejeans, shorts or a T-shirt unless we were on vacation. He was handsome and distinguished looking and some people thought he was a pastor. He was not at all bossy or demanding. He always told my sister and I to ‘Do your best. I don’t expect you to be the best, just do the best you can.’ He also stressed we should always ‘Speak the King’s English.’ He suggested listening to news reporters as they spoke very clearly and without accents.

“My parents were divorced and my mom sent us from Louisiana to Pennsylvania to live with our dad when we were 12 and 13. We had southern accents. That’s when he gave us advice about speaking. It worked because the accent disappeared in a short period of time and we fit in better.

“Dad always encouraged us in subtle ways. For instance, he gave me a baton for my birthday and I said, ‘Thanks Dad, but what should I do with it? Whatever you want, he said, but maybe you could learn to twirl it.’ I got a book on how to twirl a baton, followed the instructions and became so good at twirling I ended up being the band majorette and then the head majorette in school, and even was asked to march with the Marine Band in Allentown. I always saw my dad smiling at me in the sidelines when marching in parades.

“As we got older he noticed my sister liked, and did more cooking than I did. I didn’t think I was a good cook. One day he said ‘make me a steak. I bet you can make a good steak.’ I made him a steak and he watched me but didn’t say much until he was finished eating. He said, and I’ll never forget it, ‘You should marry a man who likes to cook.’ Ha ha! Then he told me how to properly make a steak. When he was done I went to wash the cast iron pan with soap and water. ‘Oh no, he said, never use soap, here, give it to me, I’ll show you how.’ Ha ha!

“My dad was truly patient and kind. He was always there when I needed him. My dad was one of the greatest of dads there ever was in my mind. I loved my dad very much. He’s gone now, but memories of him will never be gone. Incidentally, I did marry a man who was a great cook.”

“Dad told me I would not see my boyfriend every day ... for my concern, he might get sick of me ... for dad’s concern he may like me too much and dad was afraid of what that might lead to,” Kathy D. said.

For all the lessons learned and memories made, may Father’s Day put a smile on your face as we remember the words of wisdom or love shown by our dads through the years.

Debbie Galbraith

editor

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press