re: How successful do you think your father was at raising you?

My dad I always was firm but fair with me. For some reason kind of catered to my younger brother always cut him lots of slack.
When i was still living at home I said something.
When I moved out I’m sure it continued.
Many years later my mom told my sister that we needed to take care of my younger brother- I was like he ain’t special needs!!!
So I guess it continues

As far as my life goes I love both my parents dearly. They were good role models. Taught me to be an adult and if you screw up apologize and make it up for it etc. I have a lot to be thankful in the way they raised me.

My wife never appreciated my saying, "Hold that damned flashlight still."

Amen to that

He was a corporate man. Left the house at 6, got home 12+ hours later, worked Saturdays. Had a couple infidelity issues that about blew up the family, but didn't.

Overall a good man who always treated me right. Certain things I'd like to emulate, lots more no thanks.

My Dad was both my Father and best friend. I only hope I'm half the man he was. He gets an A+.

I got lucky it seems

Not very well. I was in my 40s-50s before I learned a lot of things about life, success, women, etc. Mostly from books and podcasts. My dad was a decent man but he was an underachiever his whole life. Unemployed or underemployed most of my growing up years. We moved 11 times from when I was 4 years old to 12. I have gone back and photographed eight of the rental homes that are still standing. My parents never owned a home until I was 25 years old.

My uncle, his only sibling, went to Samford University - then called Howard College - and Peabody at Vanderbilt for graduate school. Was a high school basketball coach then a principal for 35 years. Everybody in our area knew and respected him. I would often get asked when I introduced myself if he was my dad. Reminds me of the old 70s miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man.

It’s easy to be bitter and bitch about how I didn’t get the breaks others did. I used to hate people who were born on 3rd base thinking they hit a triple. But that gets you nowhere.

I’m still the only one in my immediate family to graduate college. Most of my extended family didn’t in fact. Not that that’s the only way to have a successful life but it’s a barometer.

He raised me well but had a nasty temper. Holding the flashlight for him under the hood was damn near chaotic. I inherited his temper so I give him a C. I never heard him say “I love you”, until I was an adult.