“You know how kids have the argument, ‘I bet my dad can beat your dad up’? Well, I honestly meant it. ‘No, SERIOUSLY. My dad can flat kick your dad’s ASS.’”
“I once saw my dad knock a guy out for hitting on my mom. The guy fell into a pool. To make sure he didn’t drown, my Uncle Mino jumped into the pool and saved him. When the guy came to, he started yelling obscenities at my dad. Uncle Mino had heard enough so he knocked him out again and laid him down next to the pool.”
“My dad always talked about respect. He was huge on manners. Always say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. I grew up in an era where kids rebelled. But all my friends knew better than to disrespect my dad.”
“He also taught me about how to define success. I remember when he was working for Boeing and received a promotion from machinist to supervisor. This was a big accomplishment because it meant a significant increase in pay. But he ended up not taking the promotion because he missed his friends and the work he was doing. He measured success as providing for his family and feeling fulfilled at work; not just bringing home a bigger check.”
“When I became a father, I was nervous if I’d be half the father that mine was. He left quite the template to follow.”
My dad, Aunt Margaret, and Grandpa Jack
“[As a father] I just want you guys to be respectful to others, like my dad preached. But I also want you to realize that it’s possible to accomplish your dreams. Whatever you put your mind to, you can achieve it. If I’ve passed that along to you, I’d consider myself to be a pretty good father.”
"The pressure I feel as a grandfather is way different than the pressure I feel as a father. Now it's my duty to make sure my son has the support to be the best father he can be."
"Parents and grandparents show their love in many different ways. One of the best ways to show your love, I feel, is to discipline your children. Things aren't always going to go your way. Life is tough. I believe it's our responsibility to help our kids learn to handle those tough times."