What My Father Taught Me
My father taught me strong moral values. He taught me personal responsibility. He taught me honesty and trust, he taught me to be compassionate and to respect all life. He taught me the value of education, he taught me how to play and enjoy sports, he taught me how to make good decisions in life. He taught me to have fun and to laugh, he taught me the meaning of work, and he taught me the meaning of love. He did this by being a nurturing father, a baseball and tennis coach, a firm disciplinarian, a hard and dedicated worker, and a loving parent.
My father was one who was there to share with me in times of joy and in times of hardship. Generously he gave me his personal time, his hard-fought efforts, and his true self so that I may grow up to face this challenging world with courage, hope, and faith. My father was not perfect and he did have his faults, his struggles, and his weaknesses. He taught me, however, how to face these problems and challenges with a positive attitude and a strong will. These examples and the great memories I have shared with my father are everlasting and have positively influenced my life like no one else could have.
The significance of my father's influence on my life has led me to a one-year volunteer commitment to working with low-income fathers. My hope is to instill in them the great importance and significance of their role in their children's lives. Even though I am not a father myself, I know from my father and my experiences growing up how much it means to be the best father you can be for your children.