A Father’s Words of Wisdom – Goodwill Edition

With Father’s Day just around the corner, we’re thinking about all of the things our fathers and father-like figures have done for us – including helping to shape the people that we are today both in and outside of the workplace.

With that in mind, we asked our team members at Goodwill to share words of wisdom – ones that they have heard from their own Dads or have passed on to their children.

Pat Philippe, our Senior Director of Workforce Development, shared some words about being a father to two bright girls.

Being the father of a 13- and 4-year-old girls is one of the greatest honors of my life, the most important duty I have been assigned, while simultaneously being one of the most difficult jobs in the world.  For me, being a father means a lot of things; It means showing love, and not expecting anything in return.  Modeling God’s grace, especially at unlovable moments.  It also means being a hero, and a disciplinarian.  Being their cheerleader and the one to push them to be the best version of themselves.  Saying “I’ll take care of it” when you have no idea how.  Being a father means understanding that as you are raising them, you’re still growing up yourself. Being a father means loving without boundaries.

Our President and CEO, Catherine Meloy, will also be remembering her dear father this holiday, continuing to practice his words of wisdom with grace.

My precious and much-loved father is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A man of great faith, his words of advice were…”Hand over your issues to God and then get out of His way”.  Sage advice from a man I treasure and miss now that he is no longer with us.  

Our Chief of Expansion, Jeff Cole, shared a unique poem that we all can put into practice.

Once a task is first begun

Never leave it ‘til it’s done

Be the task great or small

Do it well or not at all

His father (who died when Dad was just 15) used to recite this to him often, and Dad has recited it to my two brothers and me many times over the years.

Dr. Ruth Turner, the Lead STEM Instructor at the Goodwill Excel Center, DC, opened up with concise advice from her Dad, which he shared with her during tough times.

My Dad, Kenneth Chambers, has always been one phone call away when I struggled through the toughest times. His famous words when life has been at its hardest are “and this too shall pass.” He is always right about that.

Talby Afable, Goodwill’s Team Member Relations Manager of our Office of People and Culture, shared meaningful remarks from his grandparents.

From my grandparents when we immigrated from the Philippines in July of 1972.  I remember my grandparents pulling me aside, their eldest grandson:

“You are going to the Land of Opportunity.  Remember where YOU came from.

But do not keep looking back; if you do, you’ll end up in a ditch.”

As we approach Father’s Day, we honor the fathers who may and may not be physically with us. No matter where they are, we will keep their legacies going by continuously honoring their contributions to our lives and to the world – and using their advice to guide the actions that we take to build a better today and tomorrow.

After reviewing the advice above, do you remember any words of wisdom that the fathers and Dads in your lives have given you?