My word for this year is LEARN.
So it just makes sense to use this Year of Sundays to reflect on 52 of my most significant Life Lessons. Some may seem more significant than others, but each one has changed how I live my life in powerful way. I’d love to hear if and how any of these same lessons have surfaced in the classroom of Your Life.
“Always listen to God more than you talk to him.” – Ken Bearnes
Dad left this life 30 years ago. I still seek his advice and insights almost every day.
Ken Bearnes was a 5’2″ “Buckeye”. When WWII broke out, the US Armed Forces told him he wasn’t tall enough. So he went north and joined the Canadian Air Force. Via the RAF he met my mom in England. They dated. He was shot down over Holland and was a POW in Germany for almost two years. When he was released, my grandfather wouldn’t let him see my mom because they all thought he’d just dumped her.
So Dad returned a few days later with a diamond ring (that he bought with all of his back pay). They got married. And after being a POW, suddenly 5’2″ was tall enough for the USMC. The rest, as they say, is history.
Dad also served in Korea and Viet Nam. He did things and saw things I’ll never know or be able to imagine.
When he was home, Dad and I would get up at 5am, eat Grape Nuts (remember them?) and tell each other about the miracles we’d seen the day before. I still look for miracles every day and try to like Grape Nuts.
I thought everyone had a dad like mine.
I know better now.
What’s the biggest lesson your dad taught you?
Lisa’s Cheap Therapy blog 
The stories about your dad….and all he went through…will live in my heart forever. So incredible that he was such a deep and gentle soul, and yet lived through some of the worst things imaginable. Ken Bearnes is a true hero. And he deserved a wonderful daughter like you. And you deserve a hero like your dad.
I’m glad I’m in your “I thought everybody had a dad like mine” club!!
My dad’s “life word” is ENJOY……and he’s taught me to the do same by his example!!!!!
My Dad had a saying he would use more than once in my life. Like the time I ran off the road coming home from a frat party late one night and fell asleep at the wheel. I ran off the road and slid along the guard rail putting a gash in the family car, an AMC Pacer. We walked outside the next morning to look over the damage. I was ready for the cat-of-nine-tales to be brought out. His only response was a dry and unemotional, “Did you learn something?” A phrase I have often used with my own son.
Tom, thanks. here sure was my hero.
Judi, SO GLAD we’re both in That Club, too. your dad sounds like an incredible teacher. hmmmm… his ‘apples’ didn’t fall far… eh?
Cal, LOVE that story – and the lesson inside it. you sure do honor your dad with your life.
THANKS to you all for joining in here and to those who replied more privately. LEARNING with ya’ll ROCKS!