A Tribute To My Father

“That’s Life... Deal with it”

My dad’s 5 words to solve any problem in life- “That’s life, deal with it”.

These were also the words that sent my eyes quickly to the back of my head in my teenage years. It wasn’t until I was older that I truly understood how such simple words could help me (and anyone really) through life.

See my father was a man of very few words and to some, he could come off short or non-empathetic. But those who really knew him could attest that this couldn’t be further from the truth. He was calm and never complained about anything. Now-he was a smartass for sure (and equally passed that trait down to his children)

Sometimes in life, we feel as if we need to wait until an “ideal situation” happens to truly live and be happy.

Like maybe “once I move into a bigger home or have a better car I’ll be happy”

My father lived in a 1200 sq ft home with 6 children (5 of which were female) and 1 bathroom.

So he would wake up early and take a shower before we got up to get ready for school.

That’s life.. Deal with it.

My father drove a cool (in my 4-year-old eyes) little red honda accord car before all the children came into his life.. but traded it in for a wood panel station wagon and a 4-toned Ford truck that sounded like a bomb went off when it stopped in front of the school to pick me up. (I used to tell him that school got out 30 minutes after it really did to avoid the embarrassment..or hop in and scrunch down so no one could see me… (man my dad loved that ugly truck)

But That’s life.. Deal with it.

Some people look at life situations and say.. “If I would of just finished college my life could be better... or maybe If I just had my dream job... I’d be happy”.

My father worked hard manual labor doing construction at Hume Supply for many years. A job that was equally as brutal in the winter as the summer months outdoors. I remember the orange hand cleaner sitting on the sink growing up ..he’d scrub his hands but they still looked worn down from work. Many days he’d eat dinner and fall asleep because he was so tired. Other nights he’d simply get off work to do more work at home trying to repair something at the house. Growing up there was never a repairman at the house. He was the ultimate repairman.

Yet, my father waited until all of the children graduated high school and his wife Shelly completed her degree then he returned to school at Columbus State at age 36 to pursue a career he was passionate about. He became an airline mechanic for Republic Airlines driving the 2+ hrs to Columbus every day to work.

That’s life.. Deal with it.

Some people think if only they had more money they’d be happy.

Our vacations growing up were airshows.. My father would be perfectly content driving two hours to an airport parking garage just to watch the planes take off and land.

Big trips were a day to Kings Island or Fun Spot but nothing beat simply driving by the water and just listening to the music play from the car stereo.

A day of fun didn’t have to cost a thing.

It was all about memories being made.

Some people think If they were just in better health they’d be happy”

My father was given 3 months when he was first diagnosed with esophageal cancer but he didn’t accept that answer and LIVED a little shy of six more years.

Driving to radiation on his lunch breaks at work.

Lived by wheeling his Oxygen tank in the sand to get to the beach.

Lived by taking mini trips with many of the grandkids.

Lived by starting new hobbies and studying how to build a guitar from scratch.

Building, repairing, and learning more than ever. He was hungry to absorb as much information as possible from this world. Always curious and always trying something new.

That’s life. Deal with it.

My father’s drive, passion, hunger for knowledge, and selflessness can teach us a lot about dealing with life. Don’t let trivial things prevent you from living your best life.

When it comes to

Family- cherish it

Time - make the most of it

Knowledge- Crave it

Opportunities - Don’t Waste it

Life is an opportunity to make the most of every situation. It’s not the hand you’re dealt that matters.. ..it’s all about your attitude, grace, and willingness to do more that makes all the difference.

My father’s legacy will always be one of drive, passion, hunger for knowledge, and selflessness.. That’s his life, he lived it.

Greg Yoakam 4.11.59 - 4.16.18

Forever loved and to be remembered.