# 13

Heroes
In each of our lives there is someone special who has made an impact with their actions, words, or deeds. That person is our "Hero"; a role model who has helped shaped our life. Heroes inspire us to reach for the stars. To go for it---WIT (Whatever It Takes). I want to tell you about my hero, my Dad.

He is what we would call "old-school". Born in 1916, he was forced to quit school in the 8th grade to help support his family. He never got his high school diploma. But, he valued the importance of

a good education. And, he saw to it that each of his children had the opportunity to get a college education.

He married my mother in 1942. Almost immediately he was sent overseas to do his part in ending World War II. Like so many other young couples, WW II interrupted them starting a family.

My brother Dan was born in 1946, Geri in 1947, and Pat in 1948. Eileen was born in 1950, and I was born in 1951. Susan came along in 1955. After Susan was born he and my mother moved our growing family from Brooklyn to Long Island . They felt it was important to raise our family where there was green grass and room to play. Dorothy was born in 1958, and Kathryn rounded out the family in 1963. It was our version of Eight is Enough.

For most of our childhood, my father worked two jobs. That was not uncommon. My mother also worked, which today is very common. As our family grew, and our needs increased, my father took on a third job. From the time I was in sixth grade until after I graduated college, he worked the three jobs. He worked Monday-Friday 11pm-7am at the local state hospital. He worked M-F 3pm-7pm as a bartender. And, he worked Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm as an orderly at Good Samaritan Hospital. These were not great jobs. But, they helped put food on the table, clothes on our back, and helped us get an education.

He loved to read and draw. My love for reading was inspired in part, by his love for reading. He would spend hour after hour at the kitchen table reading, drawing, or painting.

And, he had a sense of humor. I can remember him walking to the local 7-11 with our dog. The local dog catcher asked him if the dog had a license (he didn't). My father replied he didn't need one, he couldn't drive. When asked if a relative had died, he replied, "I hope so, they buried him."

He gave us his love for learning. He gave us his sense of humor. He gave us the ability to persevere, and to persist. He taught us that our goals achievable. He helped inspire us to a higher level of personal achievement. And, what did his efforts produce?

Danny: Systems Information Director
Geri: Works in business
Pat: Owns a successful business
Eileen: Office Manager
Susan: Nurse
Dorothy: Lawyer
Kathryn: Management (Also in college to get her teaching certificate)
Tom: MS Degree Coach/Teacher

H. Jackson Brown Jr. says "Once in a while a person touches our lives with words and actions so special that they change us forever. These are the people who extend our vision and inspire us to

higher levels of personal achievement. They are our heroes."

Thanks Dad! Daniel W. Hughes May 6, 1916-July 30, 2001

Contact Tom at: tomhughes@motivationNmore.com

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