There’s no better gift we can receive from our dads (besides our inheritance, but that’s a different story) than life lessons. These lessons can’t be lost or stolen, and can influence how we live our lives.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never been particularly close to my dad. Not because we have an issue or something, but because he’s working abroad, like many other Filipino parents.
Despite this, he did his best to impart some important lessons, which I’m grateful for. Thus, while thinking of what Father’s Day gift to give him, I came up with this article.
So, this upcoming Father’s Day, I figured what would be a better tribute than sharing some of the life lessons I learned from my dad.
So, for my dad and for all the other hardworking dads abroad, in the office, or working from home, this is for you.
Nobody’s Perfect. And That’s Okay.
I would be lying if I said my dad is a superdad. He’s not the type to openly crack jokes, and when he does, they sometimes appears lame to me. He talks in a predictable manner when calling us, so much so that I can sometimes guess what he’ll say next. I can go on, honestly…
But you know what? One of the life lessons I’ve learned from my dad is that nobody’s ever perfect. And that’s perfectly okay, so long as you do your best and try and try again when you fail.
Sure, he’s all the things I’ve mentioned above. But he’s also a loving and responsible father. He tries his best to bond with us when he’s around and tries to call as much as possible, even while he’s working.
Yes, he’s flawed. But so am I, and so is everyone else. But he tries his best to provide for us and make us feel that he loves us even when he’s far away.
Family is Everything.
Dad has always been a family man. And I don’t mean just for us, but for his side of the family too. That means he sometimes overextends himself in supporting us and his relatives. Sometimes I think he’s trying to out-family man Dominic Torreto…
But that being said, he never truly let us down. He always worked hard and supported us as best as he could. For him, family always comes first, even if it means sometimes giving up the things that make him happy.
And because he helped them in their need, our relatives are more than happy to do the same for us when the tables are turned.
Health is Wealth.
When he comes home for a vacation, one lesson I’ve learned from my father is that prevention is better than cure. Whenever we leave the house, and when we get back, he’ll always say: “O mag-alcohol muna kayo. Para mawala yung germs.” (“Clean your hands with alcohol first, to get rid of the germs.”)
Mind you, this was long before Covid became a thing.
Additionally, whenever he calls us, he always talks about our health and reminds us to be careful, even though Covid cases are steadily dropping today.
This belief stems from his role as breadwinner; since getting sick means more expenses and fewer workdays. If he can’t work, we’d be in financial trouble. Thus, he needs to be in tiptop shape all the time.
Beyond that, if you put a strain on your health, how can you enjoy the fruits of your labor in the future? To this end and because our family has a history of diabetes and high blood pressure, so he always reminds me to be careful about what I eat and to exercise.
Food is Life.
My dad and I may not be super close, but if there’s one thing we enjoy, it’s eating kamote (sweet potatoes). We eat it together when he’s on vacation; he would eat it as is while I love putting margarine and sugar on mine. Besides kamote, we would also often eat suman, boiled bananas, or go out and eat at a restaurant.
One of the most unforgettable life lessons I learned from my dad is that food is life. You never feel bad spending money on it, so long as it satisfies you.
Anything’s Possible With a Good Education.
One of the common lessons we’ve all heard from our parents is the importance of a good education. With it, you can get a good job and get ahead in life and provide for a family.
Well, my parents believed in education so much that they were willing to spend millions for mine, far beyond what an average parent would for their children.
Thanks to them, I attended and graduated from one of the “big 4” universities in the country. I may not be an executive today, but I can now do my part in helping out the family while working towards my personal goals, thanks to their efforts.
“Makakarating Rin Tayo Diyan.” (“We’ll Get There Eventually.”)
My father often says this phrase whenever I ask him for something (like a new phone or computer) that it practically became his catchphrase. However, as I grew up, I realized he does have a point.
Sometimes, no matter how much you may want something, you just won’t be able to get it today. Maybe you just don’t have enough money for it now. Or perhaps a global pandemic made applying for face-to-face jobs, like teaching, incredibly difficult.
Does this mean you should just give up on the things you want because of these hurdles? Of course not. It just means it’s not yet the right time.
So keep your chin up and never cease working towards your goals because “makakarating rin tayo diyan.” (We’ll get there eventually.”)
Not All Lessons are Learned at School.
My dad wasn’t a big talker. But what he lacked in words, he made up for in deeds. Despite working abroad, he always tried to remain close to his family and support our needs….and some of our wants too.
Dad, I know we didn’t have a perfect relationship. But I just wanted you to know that I will always treasure the life lessons I’ve learned from you, Dad. Thank you, and Happy Father’s Day!
If you want to help your dad with an online job, or if you’re a dad looking for extra side gigs to provide for your family, Remote Staff is here to help. Our jobs list has a wide range of jobs available for you to choose from, so you’ll never run out of options.
Good luck, and Happy Father’s Day!
