Father’s Day Confessions ***GIVEAWAY***
When I was growing up, we didn’t make a big deal about Father’s Day. We would have a cake or dinner out, but we generally adhered to Dad’s annual admonition, “please don’t spend my money to get me a gift.” In fact, he was always of the mind to get my mom and sister and me to stop spending money.
This year, I was thinking of buying him a Father’s Day gift I saw in a Jewish catalogue: It’s a money clip that says “GELT.” I know he would like it more if it said “Don’t Spend This Gelt.” Then I thought the wiser and decided he wouldn’t want me to spend my gelt on shtus (nonsense) like that. So I turned the page.
So I’m sticking with the under-$25 picture of my kiddies on a mug gift. (He really does appreciate that. I should know. I give him one every year.) And I’m making a special BBQ in his honor. Uh-hum, correction: Hubby is making the special BBQ because he grills the best steaks, burgers and dogs this side of El Paso. Daddy loves a great piece of meat, just like Hubby. Come to think of it, Hubby also doesn’t love when I spend so much gelt. There’s a pattern here, folks. Anyway, I will supplement the menu with some manly salads and sides for Hubby and Dad and some not-so-manly ones for my sister and me. I know Dad will love it.
I can’t say Dad is ever too surprised when I do something well, because he expects great things from me! The fact is that he gave me the confidence to believe in myself, and the gumption to do anything and everything I ever wanted. For that — and for teaching me how to ride a bike and how to drive a car (“Look where you’re going! Look where you’re going!”) I want to say thank you.
I looked where I was going, Dad — and now, see where I am. I Love You!
So here’s my question of the day for all of you out there (Answer below and you can win a prize): When you look back on your life, for what can you thank your father?
***CONTEST DETAILS*** – Answer Jamie’s question “When you look back on your life, for what can you thank your father?” in the comments below for a chance to win a 4lb case of 100% Grass Fed, 85% lean Grassland Range Ground Beef from Glatt Kosher KOL Foods. Contest Ends Thursday June 23 2011 at 9 am EST. Contest open to East Coast US Residents only. One winner will be chosen at random. Good Luck!!
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About jamie geller
Jamie Geller is a bestselling author of the wildly successful QUICK & KOSHER cookbook...
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My father passed away several years ago but I am left with the values he instilled in me. My father taught me that integrity is important. He always said if I worried about doing what I know is right everything else would fall into place. He constantly encouraged me to strive to be the best at whatever I did. My mother got very sick when I was young and died before I graduated high school. He became both father and mother to me and he never gave up even though life was very hard for him. He took excellent care of his family and was a great provider in the midst of many hardships. He nver lost sight of what was important – family and relationships. I thank him for always being there for me and never putting himself before his family.
When I look back, I thank my father for always being there when I’ve needed him, and for teaching me to not need him – teaching me to be independent.
My father taught me many things for which I am thankful each and everyday. He gave me a love for life and for my Judaic heritage. A Seder was always special for my dad and is very special for me too. Dad loved his family unconditionally and has given me this gift too. Would be remiss if I did not also thank my dad for sharing his love of classical music with me. I carry loving memories of my dad with me everyday.
I still live at home so one memory doesnt really strike me. But I have a great dad!
My Dad taught me to love nature and to love learning — and to be grateful for what we have!
My father taught me that certain things matter, like propriety, tradition,family, education, charity and my Jewish Heritage. He taught me that I should take myself seriously, work hard, and be responsible for what I say and do.
When I look back on my life I can thank my father for giving me the support I needed to graduate High School, teaching me how to Ice Skate, swim, balance a checkbook and read. My father was very smart and I miss him very much.
When I look back I am thankful to my father for being a family man. He loves his family and taught me the
priority of family. He tried to instill practical skills
such as how to change a car tire when I was learning to drive as well as modeling a strong work ethic. I am
thankful for the many ways he has blessed our family.
I can thank my father for supporting in whatever i wanted to do, for always helping me when i need him whether it was in high school for whatever schoolwork or practicing for driving lessons and just the day to day questions that i have! My father is always there for me!
Growing up, my father spent most of his time running his pizza shop. He would already be out the door before my brothers and I woke up each morning, and would come home late at night while we were already asleep. Shabbos was the one day that we all really could spend time together as a real family.
It used to bother me that strangers seemed to know my father better than I did. I would often be stopped in the street by people who told me of the amazing things that my father did – giving free candy to cute little kids; delivering free supper every week to a widow and her children; free breakfast for those who could not afford a meal. To this day, I know that there are so many other amazing things that my father has done and still continues to do. My father retired his pizza shop a few years ago but still manages to spend most of his day helping others.
Now that I am slightly older and married, I realize that my father sacrificed a lot for our family. He came to this country when he was 19 and hasn’t stopped working – even when he ‘retired’. My father continues to teach me the value of hard work, of helping others and of truly living up to the meaning of walking in the ways of Hashem.
My dad always had a vegetable garden, mostly tomatoes. I wasn’t crazy about tomatoes growing up, but now I appreciate fresh-from-the-garden food, whether from my own or from the local farmer’s market. Now that he is gone, I am thankful for the memories of helping him tend his garden.
I thank my dad for bringing me to this country and working so hard to give me a better life.
I thank – and remember – my father especially for all the laughs.
Nothing… he split before I was old enough to remember his face…
I thank my father for my sense of humor
deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com
I had a mean father- yep he was around but he was mean like Hitler as most dads were of that time but I did learn not to depend on others and learn to be self sufficient- yes I learned how to repair and do auto work…but thats because I was expected to- I learned from him to work hard and be stubborn
I am grateful to my dad (deceased since 1987) for giving me life but not in the biblical sense. My uncle adopted me when I was 3 after my birth mother and father abandoned me and my 2 older brothers. We were alone for 3 weeks with no electricty ,running water or food before someone found us and called the authorities. My uncle came and got me immediately and he and my aunt adopted me a few months later right after I turned 3. By adopting me, my new Dad saved my life. And for that, I will be forever grateful.
My father instilled many morals and values such as the value of self, value of friendship, respect and treat others the way you would like to be treated. The value of hard work and being a person of your word, the belief in a higher being and never taking yourself too serious that you can not laugh at your goofs. Thank you Dad.
I can thank my father for giving me the courage to believe in myself. This gave me the power and self esteem I needed to pursue my dreams in life.
Well-not the happiest of posts, but here it goes~~I don’t know my real father & my adopted Dad was not the greatest, so they both taught me to be there for my children & to make sure that the man I chose to be with was going to be a hands on caring Father. I did & he is, so I guess I can’t say they did not teach me anything;)
I can thank my father for so many things, but the most important thing is he taught me the importance of being a strong family. Through good times or bad, he was always our rock, and showed me that family is what it is all about. Even though he is no longer with us, I feel his presence everyday & remember his strength & faith! grammypenny@frontier.com
While I am vegetarian, other family members would enjoy this.
When i look back on my life-We did not have a lot growing up we were farm kids -Dad taught us to always do our best and be honest .Dad is no longer with us but that advice has sayed with me throughout the years
I thank my father for always being around and playing rough with us when my mother sometimes coddled us!
my father taught me to be kind and loving just like him
mverno@roadrunner.com
I can think my father for teaching me to be a good parent.He lead by example.Thanks dad for everything you have done for me and for always being there when I need you:)
My dad has always been my hero. As far back as I can remember my dad was always there for me. Growing up he always gave me the guidance needed to succeed in life. I have tried to pattern the way I train my kids, the way I love my precious wife, the way I love people, after my dad. My dad is the most compassionate man I’ve ever known. Even If I had two lifetimes to live and learn from my dad, it would not be enough. I love you dad, and thanks for everything.
My father always taught me to “do for others and expect nothing in return” hard advice to follow, but ABSOLUTELY great advice!
I can thank my father for my “do it right or not at all” belief!
i can thank my father for teaching us to work hard.
My dad taught me so many things-he is the best person that I know. He always gave people the benefit of the doubt-even when people would ask him for money on the subway he would say “oh he looks like he really needs it,” to every person who asked him! My dad also never gossips, which is an admirable quality these days.
My father passed away many years ago. He was not a wealthy man,or a famous man. His legacy to me and our family was “a good name.” This will remain with me forever.
my dad always told me to “not suffer twice”. rather than to make myself unhappy worrying about the outcome of something, to wait and deal with it at the time
My father taught me many things about life but I think the most important thing he taught me was how to deal with people in the business world. I have had 4 major jobs in my lifetime (I am now 61) that put into the “customer service” line of work. I first worked in my father’s butcher shop in Brooklyn, then in the camera industry in Manhattan and then in two school offices in Florida. Dealing with people was a major part of all these jobs and my Dad taught me well to always conduct myself as a lady and to always think of the customer first and their wants and needs. The old adage of “the customer is always right” was one of his favorites. I thank Hashem for giving me a smile on my face every day and helping me to deal with all different types of people in many situations – I think that I do a good job at it too!!
When I look back on life I can thank my dad for teaching me if you do your best you have done all you can do.
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net
My father taught to be a mench, live each day to the fullest, to belive in those who you love, always remember what others have done for you not for what you have done for them. To look at what you owe the world not what it ows you. To follow Hashem teachings, and laws.
My father has a tremendous sense of ethics and integrity. A simple look from him would keep us in line. He modeled such high standards and demanded that we live up to them as well. When I was a child and tempted to slack off and not live up to being my best self all I had to do was look at how my father conducted himself to get back on track. Sometimes it feels hard taking the high road…but it’s always the right choice. Thanks, Dad, for teaching us this invaluable lesson.
My father taught me to work hard, have integrity and always be honest. He taught me to go after whatever it was I wanted no matter what it took. He taught me how to appreciate the money I earned and the value of a hard days work. Thanks Dad.
My father always provided for the family so my mom could stay home and raise the kids. It was not easy since we grew up in Soviet Union. He was always pro Israel and admired US, and that got him in trouble with the government. Thanks to him, I grew up with a deep love and connection to Israel as well as not being afraid to voice my opinion.
I can thank him for my wit, my musical “ear”, the head start in life I got from him giving me opportunities, financial support and love, and most of all, his view on life, which is identical to mine.
I thank my father for always making me feel special and for taking the time to listen to me and for answering my many questions. He talk all of us the value of having and being a true friend and for valuing the role of family. As my brother said, when family members would say his name, you could hear the respect and love in their tone. His memory will always be a blessing.
My Father was not in my life for many many years. However, 2 years ago I was living in a hostile environment with my 3 kids. I called my Dad out of desperation and told him I needed a place to live. He told me to come see him the next day. I did and he handed me keys to a brownstone he was going to rent out. He told me I could stay as long as I needed to, free of charge. We are still here today, we pay our utilities, thats it!
I have been blessed with many things from my father;his generosity and passion for Judaism and community commitment, his loyalty, his love, and the one (while not the most important)- certainly the most appreciated by my fellow passengers-my keen sense of direction and natural GPS.
My Mother is amazing but she gave me a hot temper and a mean streak thankfully my father gave me a good natured side –he never has a bad thing to say about anyone –he walks in a room and eveyone is always glad to see him I wish I was more like my father –I try.
kakihararocks@gmail.com
My father has always believed in me and taught me from a young age that I can do anything I set my mind to.
My father passed away 2 years ago at the ripe old age of 96. He had a love of music, all styles, that he transferred to my brother and I throughout the years. He even worked his way through college playing his violin. But he also taught us to respect everyone, teachers, parents, authority figures and even people you didn’t know because you never knew when someone was going to come along and teach you a lesson that would help you in life. I miss him!
I lost my father almost 5 years ago, but not a day goes by where I don’t miss him! I am thankful to him for teaching me to treat everyone as a equal and for giving me his incredible sense of humor!
I thank my father for teaching me honesty and integrity.
I thank him by instilling these traits in his grandchildren.
My Father, ob”m, taught me the true meaning of sacrifice for one’s family. As a European immigrant, escaping the horrors of Nazi Europe, my father came to this blessed counrty with little more than the shirt on his back. He arrived to Mobile, Alabama, having taken himself and my mother on the first transport out that they could get. They traveled in cargo! Within weeks of arriving in Alabama, my father quickly realized that it was no place to raise the Jewish family that he was planning on, and so he made his way to New York, settling on the lower ease side. My father worked hard, at times only holding a job from Monday to Friday, at which point he would be fired for refusing to work on Shabbos. At times he worked three different jobs so as to have enough money to support his growing family and pay yeshiva tuitions. When he couldn’t meet his yeshiva tuition obligations, he undertook fundraising and over the course of the years raised exponentially more funds than tuition would have ever been! In all my years of childhood I cannot say that I remember my father ever spending any money on himself but for the bare necessities (usually second hand) nor did he ever take a vacation unless it was something family oriented. My father passed away over a decade ago, and I miss him daily and I miss sharing my family with him and him with them. I am sure he would (and is) proud of how I have taken the lessons I learned from him, to raise my own family. May my Father’s neshoma be a maylitz yosher for me, my family and K’lal Yisroel
the most important thing that my father taught me was the value of time. specifically, valuing other people’s time… now that I am on my own, I realize that very few people take this seriously and realize how important it is.
My Dad taught me everything important in life. He taught me to love G-d, people and life, to be loving and giving, to love reading and nonstop learning, to strive to acheive, he taught me how to cook and drive and so much more. I was always “Daddy’s girl” and owe him so much for staying on in a terrible marriage because I begged him to not leave me. My Dad gave me the confidence to be strong and dare to be different. I am who I am today because of him.
I have an amazingly fun loving father as can be evidenced by my “Daddy’s funny faces etc” pages in my photo albums. Motzie shabbos was always “Varcel” night (Carvel for those of you not privileged to have grown up with my dad) and we would always drink our “Klimo” (tasted way better than other kids’ milk) Only now that I am raising my own children do I appreciate the importance of humor and that your never to old to have fun and be plain old fashioned silly sometimes!!!
I grew up with an amazingly fun loving father which can be evidenced by my “Daddy’s funny faces etc” pages in my photo albums. Motzei Shabbos was Pizza and “Varcel” (Carvel to those of you who were not privileged to grow up with my dad) and we always drank our “klimo” (which tasted way better than other kids’ plain old fashioned milk) Only now that I am raising my own children do I appreciate the importance of humor and understand that your never to old to have fun and be just plain old fashioned silly when neccesary!!! Love you daddy and HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!!!!!
My father is an Orthodox man who has shown me how to be a leader and get involved. He is a fisherman, a hunter, a Krav Maga teacher, president of his shul in Seattle, and an amazing father/grandfather to his 4 kids and 8 grandchildren. He loves to learn with people young and old and he really knows how to take care of those whom he surrounds himself with. He does everything he can and still finds time to do more and now I try to do the same. So I am really thankful that that his is so selfless and selfish, all at the same time. He really showed me that you can enjoy your life and treat yourself with respect, but always find time for other people.
I have to thank him for my sense of humor. It’s what gets me through some trying days!
A sense of being my own person!
My dad taught me to me to take the lead when no one else will.
My father had a horrible childhood. He was beaten and constantly physically abused but he treated his children with love and affection but the most wonderful thing I can remember about my father was the way he treated his father. he was mentally and physically abused by his father but when his father was old and in a senior citizens home he took the family every Sunday to visit his father. He accorded this man, his father,so much respect that it always made me wonder how he could do it but he did and continued to do it for the whole time his father was alive. I miss him more as the years pass and know he did not get a chance to see his grandchildren grow up
I’m grateful to my father for being a people person and teaching me how to be one, for taking me to sporting events. being there for me when I needed it.
I can thank my dad for teaching me how to be self sufficient, handy, a hard worker, have strong values, and to “use my brain” (as he always told me to do when I would go hang out with friends back in High School).
When I look back on my life I can thank my father for always being there for me when I needed him.
austma7@aol.com
I can thank my father for my good looks
My father was a humble man of great integrity, intelligence and courage who taught us by his example
that a good Jew/human is a Mensch first and foremost, with love for ALL of God’s creation. And he loved to laugh and have fun!
Both my parents were Holocaust survivors, and my mother died when I was a young mother. My dad stepped up and helped me and my sister and brother with taking care of our children (he even changed diapers!). He saw more than his share of misery in his life and taught all of his children that especially in bad times, when it is very hard, we have to be good people. Sadly, he passed away almost three years ago but there isn’t a single day when some lesson he taught us comes up, and we remember him dearly.
My Dad lost his father at a very young age and immigrated with 7 siblings to Montreal. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII, and still remained frum. I remember him waking at 5 am every morning to open the shul to daven and then go to work. He worked 12 hour days. I remember him going out to work in the worst winter weather. He is enjoying his grandchildren so much now, and I am glad for that. I remember him teaching me the Shma Yisrael to say at night.
The most important and essential life lesson I learned from my dad was: always stop to pee.
We took a lot of road trips when I was a kid, my dad is a big fan of traveling by car and seeing nature pass outside your windows. This lead us on a lot of back-roads and you never knew when the next time was that you would come upon a rest-stop with a working toilet.
I thank my father for teaching me to take advantage of every opportunity presented and to always seize the moment (and of course, to always stop to pee)!
When I look back on my childhood, I can thank my dad for leading me to God. He always told me to make God number one in my life and all the rest would follow. He taught me that life isn’t always fair, and it isn’t all about me. He taught me to love others and that, that love would always find its way back. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter.
My father and I didn’t have a great relationship but, he did teach me how to work hard and to focus on my goals.
My dad taught me (and my five siblings) to appreciate what little we had and to be thankful that there was a roof over our heads and a warm meal on the table in the evening. To use his words, “make the best with what ya got”!
My dad taught me the importance of being honest. At any cost.
I think the most important lesson my father taught me was self-reliance. He always emphasized that if I truly wanted things to change or get better then I had to make the effort, not wait around for someone else to do it for me.
While i was growing up i did not really get to know my father. He was always there for us, but busy working hard trying to support our family. We would visit him at work so that he had a chance to talk to us about our days, and to hug us. Once into my teens i learned from him and saw his enormous devotion and loyalty to my mother who was sick. At the time my brother and i took that for granted. In these times i see how very rare that loyalty and devotion was. As an adult, i lived with and witnessed his deep religious devotion. His religious devotion was unwavering and unquestioning. He lived a religious life. Torah guided him in every aspect of his life. With all that he lived he still looked forward to each day with joy. He taught by the example he set. He helped raise my children with similar love and devotion. In conclusion, i have much to thank my father for, way too much to list. But most important he taught me what it means and how to really love, love G-d, love family, love life.
I thank my father for being a great role model. He was one of those people who was liked by all and beloved by many. He was honest, selfless and a hard working . I always knew I was loved.
I don’t have a great relationship with my father but I thank him for teaching me responsibility.
My father taught me honesty. He taught us girls how to throw and catch a baseball. He taught us to love reading and learning for it’s own sake, by telling us that The Reader’s Digest was his magazine, which compelled us to sneak-read it when he was at work. He taught me the joy of commitment, to your spouse and parents, to your work, and to your family. I am so thankful to still have him here for at least one more Father’s Day.
I follow everyone on google, GOD BLESS YA’LL
I was fortunate to have two wonderful “fathers” my own dada passed away two days after my third g’day, and my Saba and my very special Uncle made sure I had the best childhood. From them I learned leadership skills, patience, persistence, and most importantly, how amazing it is to love unconditionally. I thank them both, though my Saba is no longer around, but my uncle knows how much I have gleaned from him, how unique and special he is in my life, and how grateful I am to have his enduring love, advice, and time in my life, especially since he has 4children of his own and he is now a Saba.
My father died very young, so I have him to thank for making me being very aware of being healthy and taking care of myself. Also, I have him to thank for my love of science and astronomy. He passed on that love to me and it was something that we shared. Thanks for the chance!
My father fought for Jewish education. We were in a community where the then two year old orthodox school was underfunded and the local federation did not want to support the orthodox school so my father staged a “shiva” for the school which resulted in the federation changing its ind. The school is now in its 43rd year.
Definitley my work ethic. I think he called in sick ‘two days” growing up that I can remember.
My Dad taught me to do the right thing, to deal with problems when they come up, and to belive, always, that it’s going to be OK – I have him to thank for my optimistic nature.
My dad had the presence of mind to let me learn by my own mistakes…..he didn’t step in to correct me….I so appreciate that!
I can thank my Father for my stubbornness LOL.
I can thank my father for my sense of humor.
My father taught me to live life my way and when I got in trouble, or if he thought that I was off tract, he would step in and provide suggestions on the correct way to handle the situation. In the early years, I would follow my ideas not his. Later, after many failings, I discovered his advice was the right. I wish he was around now so I could have his wisdom on life’s adventures.
When you look back on your life, for what can you thank your father?
I can thank him for every conceivable advantage and opportunity he gave me, to get me a head start in life. He advised, counseled, loved, and cherished me. I owe him everything.
I can thank my father for giving me a sense of worth and a feeling of being protected.
This is my first fathers day without my father. And I have been looking back and glad to have had a dad that was steadfast and true.
What can I say about my father? I don’t remember a time that my father put himself first. My father worked extremely hard to support our family which consists of my amazing mother and my 7 siblings, but when he walked in the door at any hour of the night, whichever one of us was awake we would attack and climb all over him. You know how many meals we would all eat a night? 2, the one my mother served when we got home from school or camp and then the one we would eat right out of my fathers plate. He was always ready to share all that he had and he still is. Now it’s the grand-kids turn to eat out of his plate. My father still gives all he has for his children and now for his children’s spouses as well. All in all my father is the best father out there! And also- I got the prettiest blue eyes from him!!!!!!!!!!
My father taught me survival skills that saved my life- what weeds are edible, how to build a shelter, and how to signal for help; these lessons helped me when I lost my way on a hiking trip- kept me warm and fed until I was rescued 6 DAYS later.
to be true to yourself, be honest in all dealings and many basic skills
I thank him for always being there when I needed him. He raised me as a single father when a single father was not common.
I thank my father for the wisdom of integrity and hard work.
ky2here at msn dot com
MY FATHER TAUGHT ME TO NOT TO JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. NOT TO JUDGE A PERSON BY THEIR LOOKS AND BE WILLING TO GIVE A SECOND CHANCE.
I’d thank mine for the how he taught me to respect others and never make fun of anyone, all parents should do this that way all the harsh bullying that goes on in schools would be kicked in the bud
I can thank my dad for dressing more for comfort than style.
my dad taught me to be respectful
jagar0047 at yahoo dot com
I can thank him for a ton of things. Mostly he taught me that being a hard worker pays off. ANd also to treat others the way you want to be treated
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
I learned to tell the truth from my father and I am thankful. I learned the value of a dollar from him and to smile!
I can thank my father for instilling the work ethic in me. My dad was a tobacco farmer and from a very young age we worked on the farm. Hard work and a sense of accomplishment makes a person feel good about themselves. For this, I will forever be grateful to my father.
LuckyTJG at cs dot com
i can thank my father for always forgiving me and loving me no matter what i do
I can look back and thank my father for giving me the gift of patience and forgiveness.
I can look back and thank my father for teaching me to love unconditionally.
I am thankful to my father for instilling in me a love of information and learning. I love to learn and explore new things and absorb books and learn.
I can thank my dad for teaching me sportsmanship and logic by playing card and board games nightly with me. He taught me to be honest and that there are 2 sides to every story.
I can thank my dad for passing along his love of the culture connected with Judaism and art.
for always telling me what was right or wrong…even if I was upset over it…he always knew the right thing to say
I can thank my father for my artistic side. I miss you dad.
knycks1(at)aol(dot)com
I got my sense of humor from my dad.