Hello Friday!  It’s been a very strange week, and I’m glad the weekend is here to recoup.  I’ve spent the last few days back in my hometown, and I rolled back into eastern Oklahoma just a few hours ago.  I have a very low-key weekend planned, and I’m ready to get it started!

Other than the fact that it’s Friday, today is very special for one other important reason.  Today is my dad’s birthday!  He’s told everyone not to bother with presents this year, but there is no edict forbidding me from making a big deal about it on the blog!

I’m pretty lucky to have an extremely close relationship with my parents.  I genuinely like them as well as love them, and enjoy spending time with all of them.  Since my dad’s birthday coincides with “5 Things I Learned” Friday, I have the perfect theme to celebrate today.

5 Things I Learned From My Dad

1. There has been very little good music made since 1979.

My dad loves music, and I grew up listening to people like James Taylor, The Eagles, John Denver, and just about any artist that was big in the ’70s that you can think.  As a result, I rarely know anything about modern day music and you can often hear me lamented something like “People just don’t understand what good music is anymore!”  Case in point:  Our father/daughter dance at my wedding was to Paul Simon’s “Father and Daughter”.  It’s a great one!

2.  History is the most fascinating subject there is.

You all know that I am a huge history buff, and I got that straight from my dad (who got it from his dad!).  We can have marathon conversations about the French Revolution, and we both geeked out over the discovery of Richard III last week.  It’s fun to share that!

3.  Always march to the beat of your own drum.

My dad is a unique individual, and he is completely comfortable with that.  He has never expected my sister and I to be anything other than ourselves, and that is an amazing gift.

4.  You are never too old to learn something new.

My dad didn’t become a runner until he was in his forties.  Now, at 52, he has ran two marathons, numerous smaller races, and has no plans to stop any time soon.  I love the idea that learning and evolving never stops, and I think my dad personifies that.  I have no doubt this will continue, and I’m crossing my fingers that backpacking is the next hobby he takes up!

5.  Dare mighty things.

When I graduated from high school, my dad wrote this quote in the graduation card he gave me.

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” -Theodore Roosevelt

It’s since become my favorite quote, and Dad and I frequently quote it back and forth to each other when the other needs encouragement.  Dad has always encouraged me to not be scared of going for the things I want.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Thanks for allowing me to celebrate my dad today!   I hope you all have an amazing weekend.  Those of you are dealing with weird weather, please stay safe and warm!  Have a great one!

What’s an interest you got directly from your dad?  What kind of music do you listen to?