Kimberly Dalferes | Author

Crazy, Southern, Irish Gal, Author

Life Lessons from An Irishman

by

Today, October 2nd, is my dad’s birthday.  It’s kind of a big deal, being that it’s number 75, but I think he wants to keep it a bit low key. That’s alright, it’s his day, he’s entitled to celebrate any way he wants. However, as his daughter, I get to shout:

happy birthday PJ

Image provided courtesy of MorgueFile: Image URI: http://mrg.bz/L4mLzi

What was happening back in the year Dad was born? Well, let’s see:

  • the first social security benefits were paid (oh, I know Dad is loving this one!);
  • the first McDonald’s opened;
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt was president;
  • The Grapes of Wrath won the Pulitzer for fiction;
  • milk was 34¢/gallon and gas was 18¢/gallon;
  • Gone With the Wind won the Academy Award for best picture;
  • minimum wage was 30¢/hour; and
  • The Cincinnati Reds won the baseball World Series.

The world sure has changed a bit over the years since Dad made his first appearance. Dad has visited his share of McDonald’s, voted in every presidential election since 1960, watched the price of milk rise to well over $3/gallon, and debated the sustainability of a $15/hour minimum wage. He also, finally, in 2004, got to celebrate his beloved Boston Red Sox defeating the  “Curse of the Bambino” when they won the baseball World Series.

boston-89575_1280

Image provided courtesy of Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/en/boston-massachusetts-fenway-park-89575/

Dad and I have disagreed during discussions of many topics over the years (have you ever met any Irish who don’t love to argue?!). We’ve been on the opposite sides of issues as broad as politics (cue the sound of my union card carrying nana and grandpa laughing as their son and granddaughter debate the merits of Obamacare), as simple as the appropriate topping for a key lime pie, and as controversial as the role of women in the military. However, what I truly hold dear are not our disagreements, but rather the life lessons I’ve learned from my favorite crazy Irishman:

1.      Don’t carry any more debt than is absolutely necessary.

2.     It’s OK to take a do-over. Taking risks in life is what makes life worth living. Be fearless because there are no guarantees in life.

3.     Money can’t buy happiness, but there are times when it sure can make life easier.

4.     The prettiest girl at the party will get noticed in the first five minutes; the most confident gal with the best stories will be ruling the room during last call.

5.     Never leave a hat on a table (this one is actually from Nana, but I’ll give Dad credit here too).

hat on table with X

Image provided courtesy of Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/en/hat-table-chairs-relax-bar-899452/

6.     If something is available one day and one day only, walk away.

7.     Fake it ‘til you make it.

8.     Play to your strengths.

9.     Everyone is an expert on Monday morning. Be the gal in the game, not the after it’s over commentator.

10.  Expecting a politician to be honest is like expecting an orange tree to produce bananas.

Happy Birthday Dad. Love you with all my heart.

Do you have a favorite person who has taught you meaningful life lessons? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. 

Cheers,

Kimba

 

Comments

  2. Hi, Thanks for sharing with us a great tribute to your father. My Dad inspired me a lot and has taught me so many things in life, just like your dad. 🙂

  3. Hi Kim,

    What a sweet tribute to your father. Love it. It was so heart warming to hear the lessons he taught you. I loved the one about being the expert every Monday. Great lesson to live by. Hope life is going great. Happy Birthday to your dad.

    Irish

  4. What great life lessons he’s taught you! My father died when I was a kid, so I always love hearing about people who had great relationships with their dads. xoxox, Brenda

  5. Great tips – laughed at the last one. My father is in his 80s – a bit older but you can tell they come from the same generation. Great tribute to your dear ol’ Dad! As far as a pearl of wisdom I have found invaluable – it comes from my Mom who passed away in June – “This, too, shall pass.” When times get tough, I live by that!

  6. Just a little eerie how many people have written about life lessons this week … must be something in the stars outside of PJ’s birthday. 😉 Wonderful article as always and terrific life lessons but I especially like “Everyone is an expert on Monday morning …” Thanks for the smile and inspiration!

  7. He does sound wise, lucky you! My father gave me a tremendous work ethic and sense of responsibility, and to be honest, it’s stood me in good stead my whole life, way more than I thought it would or than any other influence did.

  9. Happy Birthday to your wonderful Dad! He sounds terrific, and he gave you such loving, supportive advice. One question, though: what’s wrong with leaving a hat on a table? Thanks for sharing such lovely memories! xox, Reba

    • LOL – like a lot of superstitions, the “hat thing” comes from, I think, what used to be a problem with head lice. It’s also bad luck to leave a hat or shoes on a bed.

  11. There is nothing like that Dad/daughter relationship. It is one to be cherished forever. Your Dad sounds fantastic and very wise. You certainly made this birthday a special one with this beautiful tribute to him!

  14. This so reminds me of the list I made in my book, “Showering with Nana:Confessions of a Serial Caregiver” about the great things my Nana taught me. More people should listen to their elders and take heed. Happy Birthday to your amazing Dad!!!

  16. Happy Birthday, Paul. And I don’t know you Kim, but that was a beautiful tribute to your Dad. I knew Paul in high school and from what I can see, he turned out pretty good.

    • I envy you Joy – I love to hear stories about Dad in his Palm Beach High days. Every time he chides me for a little mischief I respond “Really? You think this nut fell very far from the tree?”

  17. You are lucky to have such a great dad. And he is lucky to have a wonderful daughter. Happy Birthday, Kimba’s dad!

  18. Yes, why not a hat on the table? Is that bad luck? Your dad reminds me of my dad. He was also full of many wise sayings. I particularly like your dad’s advice to be the one in the game. It reminds me of the Teddy Roosevelt quote that goes (in part). “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…” It’s always good to be the one in the game.

    • Oh, it’s very bad luck to leave a hat on a table – believed to bring a quarrel into your house. That and back in the day there were problems with head lice, so there’s also that!!