Dad - Thirsty to Learn

One of the most vivid pictures that I can still see in my mind from my childhood, is my Dad sitting in his big chair in the living room, his shoes neatly placed next to the chair, the lamp on, and him reading a book.  When I would walk in, he'd look up and take his reading glasses off, and then he'd share with me his most recent discovery from his reading. It was always exciting to him.  He loved to learn.   As a young man, when he was just home from his mission and ready to go to college, his father died.  Dad was left to  work the family farm and provide for his mother and 7 younger siblings.  He never regretted his decision to take care of his family, but he was always thirsty to learn more.  Sometime after he married and started a family, he began to take night classes at the university.  He was a hard worker.  He worked long hours to provide for us, he was heavily involved in our community, and he served in the church, but he somehow always made time for school.  Dad graduated from ASU the same year that my oldest sibling graduated from  ASU.   Through the years, I'm sure Dad talked to me about the value of education, but the greatest lessons I learned came from watching him.  The opportunity to become educated should be cherished;  It's worth every effort; and life long learning adds excitement and satisfaction to life.