Father’s Day
I’ve modeled my life after my father. To this day, I’ve never heard him complain. This trait is one that I haven’t quite mastered.
My father:
Fun; enjoys joking around and singing. Hard-working; always accomplishing something. Of service: wherever, whenever, he stops to help. A steadfast figure: he was fair in discipline, could always count on him, was ever-present. Dignity; taught me to work for it, don’t take anything that’s free, don’t take it if you don’t really need it, and if you really need it–work harder. Integrity; your word is all you have–keep it, guard it, and under no circumstances let it go. Pride; of our heritage, but prouder to be an American–that is what gave him the opportunity for a better life. Respectful; never a harsh word from him, always spoke to me in a civil tone–no matter, treated everyone the same–with kindness and benefit of the doubt. Responsibility; do it, don’t blame anyone, fix it, apologize, and move on. Excuses; none! Outlook; positive, even when…, Protective; just enough.
What will I do when he’s gone? Mourn. Play songs that he used to sing. Continue to live in a manner that makes him proud of me. And cherish the memories of the best childhood anyone could have ever had. Remember the summer that he drove up and down Hermosa Beach looking for the bathing suit shop where I just had to buy my chartreuse bikini. And the time they bought a new car; he bought it in orange because that was my favorite color at the time. He and my mom took us to church every Sunday morning–to soften the sometimes challenging morning process, we knew we’d stop for ice cream after church.
Gracias Papa. If every father was as dedicated as my father, and many other fathers out there, we would probably have a lot less sad and wayward children.
P.S. My mom was fabulous too–I’m a fortunate daughter.
_____SPREADING CIVILITY.
Mark Hopkins, SFWC, 2015. Served on the panel
Take a look at her new book, “Don’t Burp in the Boardroom – a guide to handling uncommonly common workplace dilemmas.”
Rosalinda Randall is the daughter of Enrique and Dirce Oropeza. She is a Civility and Etiquette Consultant. She has been spreading civility in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond for over fourteen years. Her upbringing is what made her pursue a career in the etiquette field.
