I’m pretty excited today. I recently finished making revisions and edits to a book I’m about to release titled Dad Was Right: 10 Lessons a Father Taught His Son. It’s a short memoir about my dad. Specifically the book covers 10 values my father instilled in me. Yet when I was an all-knowing teenager I did my best to resist and reject them. Here’s the opening of the book.
Foreword: A Son’s Confession
My dad was right.
I’m sure that statement shocks him. Maybe not so much today, but fifteen or twenty years ago—definitely.
In my teens and early twenties my dad and I clashed. Not constantly, not violently, not even half the time. But from about the moment my voice changed at fourteen until I moved into my first apartment at twenty-four, we experienced our fair share of battles, both of words and of wills.
His upbringing and the events of his life gave my dad a very distinct way of seeing the world and doing things. As an adolescent maturing into adulthood, I saw things differently. He didn’t so much care about my views. He was more interested in shaping my conduct. He wanted me to do things his way and not dispute him about it. That was impossible for me. Hence, we clashed.
At the time, I believed he was trying to force me to grow up to be just like him. Never! I swore I’d never be like my dad. I vowed to do things my way and be my own man. No matter how much pressure he put upon me or how loud he yelled—and as the neighbors would attest, my dad could yell—I refused to conform to the standards he insisted I follow. I’d hold on to what I knew was right and do things my way always and forever. I’d show my dad.
How’d that work out?
Well, as the title of this book should indicate, I was wrong.
Not only did I conform to my father’s ways and worldview, at one point I came to believe that the man I’d most like to be like was my dad. This didn’t happen because I caved in. Oh hell no, I’d never do that. It occurred because the longer I lived the more I began to see a different perspective of the world. One that was much closer to his.
In short, life taught me the truth I couldn’t believe on my own—my dad was right.
This book is a testament to all the things my dad taught me. Not the essentials of everyday life, like how to change my own oil, drive a stick shift, polish my shoes, tie a double Windsor knot, and dance the Texas Two-Step—although he did teach me all of those. This book is about the intangible things he passed along, the things that are deeper and longer lasting.
In both word and deed, my dad taught me the principles that make for good character in a man.
Although my dad and I are both far from perfect, I am the man I am today because of his guidance and influence. In the following pages are ten principles I learned from my dad. There are many more, I assure you, but these ten are essential and have had a deep impact on my life. They are not in any specific order of importance, as they are all equally important.
And as I’m sure you’ll see, my dad was definitely right.
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What do you think? Would you like to read more of Dad Was Right?
If so, I’d be happy to send you an advanced copy of the manuscript.
All you need to do is click this link, enter your name and email, and I’ll deliver Dad Was Right directly to your inbox.
It won’t be a pretty finished copy with a cover (I’m still getting the cover designed) but you’ll be able to read it before it’s available on Amazon.
I only have one to ask of you in return.
Please, honestly tell me what you think of the book.
I’d love to know what your favorite parts are. I’d also like to hear what parts you think could use improvement.
As always, thank you for your support of my writing and storytelling ventures!