In the old American TV western, Maverick, gambler Bret Maverick (James Garner) often handed out some homespun aphorism preceded by, "As my old pappy used to say..."
When my old-school ways are mentioned, I often say, "My daddy would come up out of his grave if I didn't...", hold the door for a lady, apologize for an improper word (Excuse my French... with apologies now to the French!), or some other anachronistic behavior.
So, what's the point at the end of this wavering pen... or keyboard?
Well, a lot of what I, and Bret Maverick, often attribute to our respective fathers, actually came to us through the culture we were raised in, and the words and actions of many other people. I can remember such "lessons" which pop up in daily life.
Such as the time my drill sergeant in Basic Combat Training, politely, ramrod stiff at attention and "with all due respect", took the side of a bunch of cold, shivering soldiers, and told a young "shave tail" second lieutenant, that he was wrong.
"With all due respect sir, we need to take care of the men first and the gawdam weapons (he was from Tennessee) second."
Or the boss that quietly taught good behavior and proper leadership without a word, or the "dear little Irish priest" who started my life long love of reading by telling stories to a "religion" class... Father Brown mysteries (Gilbert Keith Chesterton), and Irish folktales... the banshee, the black coach, leprechauns, of course.
Or the stranger who suddenly showed up and did the right thing... which I witnessed... and learned from.
You never know who's watching... and what they're learning.
I cheerfully said "good morning" to a frowning teenage boy with ear buds in this morning. Maybe he'll remember... if he heard me.
Donovan Baldwin