Dad was a good promoter of his own brands. Maybe he was a little rough on the guy, but he left an impression on me. I don't fall for telemarketers because of Dad's example that day. Dad always made time for my brother and I even though he worked long hours when we were growing up. He worked all day at his business, then "made the soup" at night until past midnight. His love for his business taught us a lesson, too.  He taught us that work was important, that if you enjoyed your work, it wouldn't be work, it would be play. Dad played all the time. Dad was a wonderful singer, but he gave up his career, because he couldn't make a living doing it. He had to make money to support his family. We always appreciated Dad's sacrifices. On weekends, he would take us fishing or into the woods to look at wildlife. Whatever we wanted to do, Dad would go along with us. He didn't get in the way of our play. He let us do what we wanted to do. When my brother and I got older, he could see we weren't interested in his photo-finishing business. It didn't hold a charm for us like it did him. But he didn't push us into the business.  He gave us an experience with menial work to prepare us for whatever we wanted to do.
 
   He was a tough taskmaster, too, making us do it right. Dad was proud of his two sons, 5 1/2 years apart. My brother became a pharmaceutical salesman and was one of the best Merck ever had. I am sure he learned his work ethic from Dad. I went into journalism and I set an example to my co-workers at every job I ever had. I worked hard and long hours. I didn't get paid too much, but I enjoyed my work, just like Dad had. This was something that he gave to us.