#write31days | October 15

 

Today is my Dad’s birthday, and we got to celebrate him this weekend.

There’s a lot of lessons I’ve learned from my Dad through the years, but the one that sticks with me the most is courage.  I was pretty much a fearful kid. I didn’t really like trying new things, most of them I didn’t see a need to do, or why I had to learn.  I can still err toward that tendency with something new or that makes me uncomfortable.

Because some of my most memorable moments on courage came from learning to ride horses and my Dad’s love of John Wayne, this quote has always summarized the lessons I learned about courage:

(This sign hangs in my house in a place I see it daily as I’m headed out the door.)

I didn’t want to ride a bike, and learned pretty “late” when compared to other kids. but I learned in my own time.

I didn’t want to lope my horse, but slowly but surely after a lot of practice in an enclosed arena I gained confidence for the open pasture.

I didn’t want to get back on when I fell off my horse, and even though I probably cried the whole way back to the barn I got back on again and again.

I didn’t care to know anything about how to fix a car, but I know how to check a few simple things myself when something isn’t right.

Courage taught me to stand up for myself.

Courage taught me I didn’t have to follow the crowd.

Courage taught me I could do anything I set my mind to.

Courage taught me I wouldn’t always win.

Courage taught me to saddle up anyways.

Happy birthday Dad and thank you for teaching me to have courage and to #doitagain.
And, for praying me through when I still don’t feel like I courage some days.

A few of my favorite posts about my Dad and lessons in courage: Here, Here, Here, Here, and Here.

If you’re just joining in from #write31days, I’m so glad you’re here!
You can {click here} to find links for all posts in this series.

4 Comments

  1. Laurie S on October 15, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    Happy Birthday to your sweet dad, Angie!

    • Angie Gillikin on October 19, 2018 at 10:43 am

      Thank you!!

  2. Lanette Egress on October 17, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    What a sweet wonderful tribute to your dad. He is, indeed, a great father and I’m sure he is so proud of you.

    • Angie Gillikin on October 19, 2018 at 10:43 am

      Thank you, Lanette!

Leave a Comment