It is easy to say that a parent has had the most influence on your life, they taught you how to walk, talk, drink and among many other things hopefully right from wrong. A good parent is there for you most of your life, quick to lend a hand or offer advice (unless it’s your mother-in-law) when needed, but the trait that impacted my life the most was the integrity my father exhibited with me and the people lucky enough to have met him.
My Father was born to a farmer in NJ a few short years after the depression, learned the lessons that only hard labor can teach from a young age. Working on the farm is not easy, the days are long, the chores are extremely physical and dirty and if you’re a kid all this happens before you even go off to school each morning. I think this is where my dad learned the lessons that made him into the man I have come to admire so much. He is a fair man who has always puts the needs of his family ahead of his own. He was not one for long winded lectures rather he led and taught by example. There was nothing that would hurt me more than my Dad saying he was disappointed in my behavior and nothing better than hearing how proud he was in the way I acted or what I had accomplished.
If you were to ask my father how he made the tough decisions in life he would tell you it was simple. Well maybe it is when you have an uncompromising set of ideals and sure sense of what is fair. I can remember when I was only 10 years old and my father was offered a high level position with his company but the position would require for us to move to Texas. We lived in a small town with a great school and lots of friends, my mother and father were both involved in the volunteer Fire Department and I think I knew everyone in town. Everyone looked out for each other and most important we felt safe. My dad easily turned down the position and never regretted it, although I am certain on a professional level he would have