Important life lessons my father taught me

My phone rang. I answered using the speaker in my jeep. Kim and I were driving to my mom’s house for a visit. My mom missed my dad.

He was in the hospital, and not doing well.

My brother was calling. He said hello, his voice wavering.

I could tell he was shaken. Perry had just spoken with a nurse at the hospital — my father had passed away peacefully a few minutes ago.

I thanked my brother for sharing the sad news with me.

I told him that I would let mom know. The next conversation would be difficult. Sharing sad news is never easy. Neither is driving and crying.

I want to be a good father to my sons

It is important to me that I become the best dad possible. The good news is that I had an excellent role model.

Opa was a great dad. He was a fabulous father my whole life.

Over the years I learned a lot from my father. Too many lessons to list here.

Instead, I want to share with you six life principles that my father taught me. They spell the word FATHER. Over the next several weeks I plan to explain these lessons my father taught me in greater detail.

• F: Faith is not complicated
• A: Attitudes are contagious
• T: Talk with your feet
• H: Have a good time
• E: Express love to your children
• R: Remember who you are…a Ranger

My son, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:11–12

I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to sons.

Like this article — find more like it

I write a blog for my sons called Doug Keating Letter to Sons. I am sharing content from my blog here. I hope you enjoyed it. All feedback is welcome. Thanks for reading it.