Lessons learned from Dad

Just two of many.

It can be done! I remember hearing once someone make the comment that if something really difficult needed to be done and no one could figure out how to make it happen, all they needed to do was mention to papa dust that it was impossible and somehow he would do it. Maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but it holds true in most cases. Story: A couple of summers ago, Dad was driving a truck pulling a trailer up to some church camp. It was being held at someone's cabin and he only had a rough map of how to get there. Just before reaching the lodgings, the road became slightly confusing for him. He could see the cabin, however, just on top of a hill off to his side. It was pretty steep, but he seemed to notice a dirt road?/path leading up to the driveway, so he took it. I was not there, so this is not first-hand storytelling, but this is what I was told. Halfway up the path, he realized that he was in a bad position. The hill was WAY too steep for a truck to drive, least of all one that was pulling a loaded trailer. Still, going back down was out of the question as there was a drop-off on the other side and he was very unsure about backing down (understandably). So, he finagled the gears, punched the gas without spinning the tires, and went for it. Apparently have felt the wheels of the trailer leave the ground as he came over the top of the hill, but make it he did (thank heaven!). After safely parking the vehicle, he went inside and at some point mentioned the path he had taken to get there. Upon hearing this, the owners of the cabin were flabbergasted. "But, but, we don't even ride our 4-wheelers on that path. What were you thinking?!?!" Well, I suppose he was thinking he had a task to do and that was the way he could see to finish it, so he did.

Give. My dad is undoubtedly the most generous person I have ever met, or probably will meet. No sacrifice is too great for him it seems, and he seems to give without thinking most of the time; it's a natural reaction for him. Two quick stories to illustrate: When my family was moving from Brigham City to Kaysville, my parents worked to try to make the Brigham house as nice as possible so as to have a better chance at selling the place for a good price. One of the tasks they set about doing was to finish the basement. Dad had already done most of the framing and electrical work, but he wanted to at least get the sheetrock up. Shortly before buying the materials, however, someone made an offer on the house as it was. My parents were obviously thrilled. Most people's first thought would be something along the lines of being glad that they had not yet spent the money to purchase the materials for the basement walls. Not Dad. No, his first words in regard to the subject were, "Well, I'd better at least go and buy the sheetrock and leave it for them in the basement." WHAT?!?!? Really, Dad, why do you think that way? Perhaps once it's suggested it seems like a good idea, but how do you even come up with such ideas? My mom is in the primary presidency in her ward, and my dad teaches the eleven-year olds. At the most recent primary activity day, they had several activities illustrating the life of Joseph Smith. Dad was telling the story of the first vision, and the room in which this activity was held was decorated like the Sacred Grove. Apparently his wasn't the most active station, and there was one boy who was being particularly rambunctious. Dad had with him a porcelain bust of the prophet Joseph which he was using as a sort of visual aid. So what did he do with this boy? He gave him the statue; I guess he figured if he had something to focus his attentions on, he would be a little more reverent. I suppose it helped. Dad didn't just let him hold it during the lesson though, he let him keep it. Maybe Dad felt a little sheepish about it later, wondering if it was actually a good idea, but I hope not. Perhaps I'm wrong, but a little boy who lives with his grandmother and has little or no positive male influence in his life might just remember that statue some day when the memory will be the one thing in his life that encourages him to stay on the path of truth. I don't know, but I think Dad was right to give it to him.

When it comes down to it, I've learned a lot from Dad. Some things are good, some maybe not as wonderful. But Dad loves Jesus Christ. That's good enough for now, and maybe I'll someday have the same qualities of pure grit and automatic generosity that Dad has displayed.