DUers, what did your dad do or say during your childhood that has influenced how you live

[chowder66]

126. My dad and step-dad

My dad was always working when I had my first 6 years with him. I knew he was gone all the time for a good reason, to keep a roof over our head and food on our shelves. After the divorce I saw him from time to time and he worked hard and still does to this day.

My dad gave me my strong work ethic and he also taught me to be self-sufficient.
He taught me it never hurts to ask for help but expect to hear no. He also taught me along with my mom, that faking it till you make it through a divorce protects the children. They always put on a friendly face with each other in front of me and my siblings and they would discuss issues at a local coffee house so that they wouldn't raise their voices at each other. Something I do with my relationships when there is a potentially stressful situation to discuss.

My step-dad came into my life at age 12 and he gave me structure and discipline which helps me to this day in my life.
He also showed me how to shrug off the small stuff and gave me tools in order to cope with personal problems. His Buddhism and way of being calm and grounded helped me be just a little more considerate than I was in my teens.

I feel extremely lucky to have two great dads with different life lessons.