One of my favorite memories of Dad. I'm a little kid and maybe it was a simple question he asked at first – whether or not I thought I could jump over this quarter he was holding in his hand. Which then extended into an “Are you sure/Are you willing to bet me?” proposition.
At the time, this just seemed like an impossible to lose situation. Of course I thought I could do it. Guaranteed. I forget if I even had an allowance back then of like 25 cents a week, or 50 cents a week, I can’t recall exactly how much it was, but it wasn’t a lot. He asked me if I was willing to bet a dollar, then two, then five, then ten, each query of his met with a resounding and enthusiastic full speed ahead doggone it yes, I’m gonna make some money, yes. I was in a no lose situation.
The story could have ended up where I would have lost $10 or more, which was a ton of money to me at the time, but I didn’t because Mom simply wouldn’t let him take my wager. Which would have taken me a year to five years of my life at my allowance rate back then to pay off. With whatever amount we ended up agreeing on, the bet was made, and the challenge commenced.
It was at that point that Dad laughed and casually and matter of factly walked up to a corner of all places, and laid the quarter up against the wall in a corner so it was impossible for me to jump over it. And it was in this way, at times - Dad taught his kids. He used to stress that actions spoke louder than words.
His actions in that moment were speaking loudly life’s truths - without being encumbered by words. The subtext of the moment spoke loud and clear. Life may not be fair, but in every moment, don’t just listen to what people are telling you. Be able to move beyond your assumptions .. and above all young man – remember there might be angles that you don’t see.
