A Tribute to My Dad on Father's Day - So many Lessons...

I am very blessed to have my wonderful father alive and well at the age of 76. He has been my biggest fan and supporter for as long as I can remember. Always with a smile to share, a hug and kiss, an "I Love You", and a sincere and warm compliment for me.
Lesson: Give and Show Love at every Opportunity

From the time I was very young, my father always encouraged me to be my best and to give my all and to never ever quit. And all my life, I lived to make him proud of me and couldn't even imagine doing something to disappoint him. This unwavering belief that he had in all my dreams has pushed me to achieve far greater things than might otherwise have been possible.
Lesson: Tell your children you believe in all their dreams and that they can do anything, be anything and become anything. Let them know that you stand behind them 100%. Give Encouragement without Pressure.

When I was a little kid, my mom was very busy and rarely (actually never) cooked - - but my dad was a great cook. I remember Sunday mornings - - he would get up early and cook eggs, bacon and cream gravy - - (terrible to think of how unhealthy this was - but absolutely delicious none the less) - - then we would sit around in our jammies and watch cartoons and he would read us the Sunday "funnies"
Lesson: Kids remember the small things -

My parents came from nothing to become self made millionaires - through this came many lessons - - they worked long long hours - when I was little, I remember how the business always came first - that we worked 7 days a week - we only took a day off on Christmas - that if there was work to be done, that you did it before doing anything else.
Lesson: I will do today what others won't so I can live tomorrow like others can't. This is one of my favorite quotes - I learned this first hand by watching my parents.

My dad was a saver. My mom was a spender. He always said as long as he could make it faster than she could spend it then it was all good. He had a great outlook on life and truly enjoyed making money - I say enjoyed - that should actually be in the present tense - enjoys - because even at age 76, he still goes to work every day and loves to tell me about any great deals he makes.
He taught me through example many lessons about wealth: Invest in assets. Have respect for money. Only spend money that you have saved. Never over extend yourself.

When I was in College, the one thing I most looked forward to was my daily talks with my dad. I might go days without talking with my mom, but every night, I would call my dad and I would bring him up to date on my day and my dreams and he would tell me all the latest happenings at home. The conversations always ended with "I love you, I miss you and I am so proud of you!"
Lesson: Listen to your children, Love your children Unconditionally and Tell them how you feel.

My dad is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet - he has never met a stranger and can have an hour long conversation with anybody that happens to stop by or call on the phone. He is a great talker but also a great listener. I can remember times when I would walk into his office with something to tell him and he would be on the phone - - I would wait and wait until finally he would hang up from this in depth conversation... I would say - "who was that?" and his reply "I don't know someone trying to get me to change my long distance carrier or something." unbelievable !! Yes he is quite a conversationalist.
Lesson: Take an interest in all people. Ask people about their lives and their loves and Listen to their reply.

Now I know my intention for this post was to honor my father - and with all my honor and respect, I feel I must share a few things I learned from my dad that aren't things I want to emulate.

My mom and dad argued and fought a lot in front of us. They were married for 49 years when my mom passed away in 2004. They had been in business together since the 1950's and I am sure there was much pressure that came with that - but as a child it was frightening to see my parents fight. As an adult - I just thought it was such a waste of time to argue so much.
Lesson: Never argue in front of the children and never go to bed with unresolved anger.

My dad is a very generous man - somehow I learned how to be a saver like him - to have ambition and have goals and dreams, but unfortunately it seems my siblings only learned that mom & dad would make the money and they could spend it. Neither my brother or sister ever graduated from high school or worked - they just live off of my parents. Certainly this is a point of great contention in our family.
Lesson: Teach children values, Give them love not money,Teach them to earn money so they understand the value of money and the value of a good days work.

My life has been blessed with two wonderful parents. On Father's Day I give Love, Honor, Respect and Great Tribute to my Amazing Dad who is my hero and one of my best friends in life - a man who I absolutely Love and Adore. A man who is a great dad and an even better Papa.

With Love, Wellness and Compassion,
Dr. Sugar

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