2/2/2021 – Two's Day Tribute to my Dad

This is Kathi Dunlap, business consultant at Faith Investment Services.  Let me tell you a story today!

Today is 2/2/21 AND it is a Tuesday (two's day!)  My dad, if he were alive, would be 99 today because he was born on 2/2/22.  He was so proud of the rhythm and 'mystery' of 2/2/22 and I especially loved that he had that birthday, because it helped me to never forget.

Couple that with the coincidence of it being Groundhog's Day and it was just about the grandest birthday you could imagine - for my dad.  He was quirky, didn't take himself too seriously, and enjoyed fun words, funny number facts, and "dad" jokes.  His birthday being 2/2/22 was pretty much the trifecta of all of that.  :)

I hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane with me as I share some of the things my dad taught me.  Here's "two" you, Dad!

THINGS MY DAD MODELED FOR ME

1. Do what is required of you for the people that matter most to you.   My dad was in the 9th Infantry Division of the US Army during WWII. Pvt Fredrick C Mauk He didn't ask to be in the war and he didn't seek advancement or awards.  He served and took bullets and marched forward.  After he returned home, he rarely talked about the war and it definitely took a lot more from him than it gave.  But he stood in the gap, like so many brave soldiers, and fought for our country and I'm extremely proud of his service.
2. Love your neighbors - really.  My dad knew and loved so many people in our neighborhood.  He grew a big garden and gave 1/2 of it away to people "around the block."  He often had an apple in his pocket (from our orchard) to give to an acquaintance or friend.  He didn't judge those who might be "beneath him" because I don't think he ever saw them that way. 
3. Be proud of your children.  Dad was crazy-proud of his family.  Embarrassingly proud of his family!  He would often tell people how smart we were or what we had just accomplished or whatever.  He rarely ever boasted about himself but boy, could he boast about us kids!  I remember feeling both a warm-fuzzy that he felt that way about me AND an awareness that he really believed what he was saying, making me not want to disappoint.  It was a powerful combination.
4. What happens at home makes the man.  My dad loved his family in the best way he knew how.  It wasn't always flashy and mostly involved providing for us, teaching us to work, helping us with homework, and being at our concerts and games.  He was SOLID.  He came home from work, ate with his family, told stories and jokes, planted food so we'd have plenty to eat, repaired things, tossed around some affection here and there, and stayed faithful to his wife and family. 
5. Smart doesn't come from college.  Dad wasn't able to go to college - first because of the war and later because of family responsibility.  He was SO smart and had wanted to take his aptitude for math to a higher level, but it didn't happen through a college degree.  There was a long-standing 'boast' in his family of origin about who was the smartest and Dad never entered the fray.  I think he didn't need to - his view of smart didn't need defended, because it showed in the end. 

My dad died when I was 17, just a few days before my high school graduation.  I had already written a tribute to him and mom before he got sick, so I gave that tribute as my graduation speech.  I'm so honored that I was able (then and NOW) to tell the world how proud I am of him.  Happy birthday and Groundhog's Day, Dad.  I love and miss you!

Kathi