Three things i learned from my father

By: Ronda Nissley
​Encompass Connection Center Co-Director

As Father’s Day approaches, I reflect again on the vital role of Father’s in their children’s lives. Fathers are more than just a “second parent.” Father involvement in the lives of their children is key in helping children become healthy well-adjusted adults. I consider myself fortunate to have had an involved father. He turns 92 in August and lives just 10 minutes from us. He has impacted my life in many ways but here are the top three: ​

1. Generosity with time and money – Throughout his life, Dad found ways to serve others. He has participated in overseas mission’s trips well into his eighties, built access ramps for the elderly, delivered meals on wheels, and driven the hospital courtesy cart. More recently, he stays busy delivering mail and newspapers at Wooded Glen - the retirement community where he currently resides.  Money was tight when we were growing up. Looking back, I have no idea how we survived on Dad’s income working for nonprofit organizations. There were nine of us kids and Mom never worked outside the home. And yet Dad was typically the first to open his checkbook to support causes he was passionate about – missions, church, and education; or pick up the tab when dining out. ​
   
2.  Appreciation for racial and cultural differences – Growing up in the 60’s in white, rural Iowa, we had little awareness or contact with people of color. As a high school principal, I can remember Dad bringing home films to preview which depicted the racial unrest and rioting in Chicago and Martin Luther King Jr’s speeches. He was instrumental in starting a program bringing inner city Black and Latino youth from Chicago and Omaha to a private high school in Iowa. I remember his efforts were met with resistance and suspicion. At times, he had difficulty finding host homes so the students would stay with us in our already crowded home.   
   
3. Faith that is central to our lives – Dad not only took his family to church regularly; he taught by example the values of generosity, social justice, honesty, integrity, and hard work. He worked for church/nonprofit organizations – not because he couldn’t have gotten higher paying jobs – but because he believed in service and missions as an outgrowth of his faith.  
   

Is he perfect? Nope. None of us are! But he was and is an involved Father that led his family well. Happy Father’s Day Dad! ​

Looking for some growth in your parenting abilities? Encompass Connection Center offers a free parenting assessment, as well as several other resources for parents looking for skills reinforcement, encouragement, and accountability. 

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