Writing

The writing prompt from yesterday was to write about the best or worst advice you ever received in 500 words or fewer.

I took some time with this entry because I wanted it to be valuable and not something I would just dash off, spell check, post and not think about again. So I did a little archive diving – not in my journals or on my blog, but in my memory.

The best advice I ever got was this: go ask your dad. I have three examples I’ll highlight here.

Example 1: I worked and saved until I had enough money to buy my first car at age 16. Being something of a tomboy, I had plenty of gear head friends to ask for advice when shopping for wheels, but nothing they found or suggested “felt” like a good buy. In frustration, one of them said, “I can’t help you. Why don’t you go ask your dad?” So I did. I ended up with a sporty little number that got great gas mileage, ran like a top, was cheap to insure and turned heads. Of course, the stereo I put in it helped in the “turning heads” department.

Example 2: When I started applying for colleges, I had high hopes and limited resources. I wanted to go to a big university, study English lit and creative writing, go on to graduate school and teach – and write, of course. I applied – and was denied – or offered entry but with no chance of affording the tuition. The school guidance counselor told me to join the marines and get my education that way. I wasn’t so sure, so he told me to “go ask your dad.” So I did. With his help and guidance, I found a small but respectable and affordable university, won several scholarships, earned my degree, and started teaching and writing.

Example 3: When I started dating seriously (I don’t count high school dating as anything), I was a horrible judge of character when my heart was involved. My mother suggested I use my Dad’s judgment and take his advice – essentially, “go ask your dad.” So I did. Every young man I got serious with was subjected to at least 20 minutes of one-on-one with my dad. If I ignored Dad and dated the guy anyway, I ended up with a broken heart. If I listened…well, the man I eventually married was Dad’s favorite.

The great part is that I still “go ask my dad” when big decisions have to be made, and I’m supposed to be a grownup.

(407 words)