Success is to be measured not so much by the position thatone has reached in life as by the obstacles which have been
overcome while trying to succeed.
To overcome: 'one' of the legacies of my Father.
I just read this quote the other day and boy did it hit a chord; it was serendipitous! Could Daddy
have known how I would need his words and example? Not really, but his love for me desired to
prepare me, as best he could, for my future. God knew; he provided for me through Daddy.
(this quote hit me with regard to overcoming personal, spiritual, relational struggles, etc. not job...and so forth)
Daddy always said to me ''semper paratus," ''run the race," ''fight
the good fight," ''don't let things knock you down." He wrote me very few letters
when I was away. However, when he found out from Mom that I was not doing so well he would write. The letters held wisdom and great encouragement. (another favorite was ''Veni, Vidi, Vici!"-I love that one!) Dad always got right to the point.
I remember one year, while living up in Maine, a letter he sent. Now Daddy was not an artist by
any means even though he did illustrate many principles via sketch. He drew a picture at the top
of the yellow-lined page. Black clouds and one white with a big sun bursting through the dark
One main thing he would say now and then as I would go into his office for counsel or, help with
math (ha ha ha), he said looking me straight in the eyes, "now, you just be little Suzzie*
and ............" As a child I had many concerns and struggles. Certain concerns I seemed to veer toward my Dad and others my Mother. (* I never knew why Daddy chose to spell my name like that on every sheet of paper I ever saw. I love it, it is endearing to me)
So, now when things get rather catywompus I hear Daddy saying, ''now, YOU JUST BE LITTLE SUZZIE...." and it brings some comfort to me. I love(d) my Daddy very much. He passed away June 22, 2003 at the age of 80. Had he not smoked he would have made it well into his 90's; the Heritage family is like that.
Daddy had tons of sayings. Many came from the book of Proverbs actually. He just made them
into ''Skeet's tongue." I hope that at the end of my life I can say, as he lived, "I have
fought the good fight, I have run the race for which God has called me
heavenward." I need a letter from him now. And I have one: his legacy! (sometime I will write how Daddy got the nickname of 'Skeets')
when I was away. However, when he found out from Mom that I was not doing so well he would write. The letters held wisdom and great encouragement. (another favorite was ''Veni, Vidi, Vici!"-I love that one!) Dad always got right to the point.
I remember one year, while living up in Maine, a letter he sent. Now Daddy was not an artist by
any means even though he did illustrate many principles via sketch. He drew a picture at the top
of the yellow-lined page. Black clouds and one white with a big sun bursting through the dark
cloud, a smiley face on the sun and rays extending outward. He said, ''horsey keep your tail up,''
''in every dark cloud there is a silver lining," ''you will overcome." I always knew he would be there for me; mom too.
''in every dark cloud there is a silver lining," ''you will overcome." I always knew he would be there for me; mom too.
One main thing he would say now and then as I would go into his office for counsel or, help with
math (ha ha ha), he said looking me straight in the eyes, "now, you just be little Suzzie*
and ............" As a child I had many concerns and struggles. Certain concerns I seemed to veer toward my Dad and others my Mother. (* I never knew why Daddy chose to spell my name like that on every sheet of paper I ever saw. I love it, it is endearing to me)
So, now when things get rather catywompus I hear Daddy saying, ''now, YOU JUST BE LITTLE SUZZIE...." and it brings some comfort to me. I love(d) my Daddy very much. He passed away June 22, 2003 at the age of 80. Had he not smoked he would have made it well into his 90's; the Heritage family is like that.
Daddy had tons of sayings. Many came from the book of Proverbs actually. He just made them
into ''Skeet's tongue." I hope that at the end of my life I can say, as he lived, "I have
fought the good fight, I have run the race for which God has called me
heavenward." I need a letter from him now. And I have one: his legacy! (sometime I will write how Daddy got the nickname of 'Skeets')
The last thing I will say about Daddy for now which should really be mentioned earlier in this
entry:
In the morning when we were all a little groggy and just coming downstairs or sitting at the table
eating our breakfast, in walked Daddy from outside** with the biggest smile and lifted spirit, he'd
say, "toe heel toe kick toe; toe heel toe kick toe." All the while he performed this shuffle kick step; just like that, two times. More words followed which exhorted us to get moving, think positive thoughts, charge into our day, "tackle" (he was a very good football player at Rutgers Univ.) whatever the day would throw at you. Man, I have never been one to jump out of bed; I am a night person.
Obviously Daddy was a type A personality; so am I. It has its upsides and down. I'm so glad
I am like Daddy. --''suzzie''
**(Daddy got up every morning by 5AM or earlier: next I will tell how he pulled me out of bed
upside-down to get me off to school on time; oh brother!!! But I loved it too; that was him)
