On my way into the office I was listening to sports radio (I know you are surprised!)The discussion was about Tony Dungy the coach (or actually ex-coach) of the Indianapolis Colts. The sportscasters were discussing all of the players they had talked to in the past few days and each of them said that Tony taught them so many life lessons. They also started to toss out words that describe Tony Dungy — words like professional, classy and gentleman. It gave me a moment to pause and think about my dad and all the life lessons he taught me. I started to think about what words I would use to describe him. Here goes:
- Hardworking
- Giving
- Over-achiever
- Integrity
- Stoic
I must admit this was a fun exercise but found it hard to narrow it down to five words.
Okay, your turn. What five words would you use to describe your dad?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Rachel Campbell says:
AWESOME
Loving
Patient
Stubborn
Strong
PS: I love Tony Dungy!
janet says:
I am a Daddy’s girl and he is my hero.
Hard-working
Supportive
Funny
Curious
Interesting/Interested
Magda Cooling says:
I lost my Daddy 4 months ago.
*Determined
*Driven
*Supportive
*Loving
*Egyptian – that says a whole lot right there
Merrill Dubrow says:
Magda,
Sorry about your loss – I love the word supportive. You and janet both used it.
enjoy the weekend.
Merrill
Paul Kirch says:
Like a lot of people, I didn’t always seem my father’s strengths growing up, but as an adult I can reflect on what made his character so solid.
1. Hardworking
2. Family-oriented
3. Reliable
4. Honest
5. Proud (he’s always taken time to let me know how proud of me he is)
Ed Sugar says:
My dad was
1. Supportive
2. Funny
3. Honest
4. Fair
5. Wise
I have many more words to describe the finest person I have ever known
Barry Packer says:
Merrill,
I know that you met my dad about 30 years ago—(I find it hard to believe that we go back to the 70′s). And, the ability to narrow down the five words is so difficult, but I guess I could go with:
1. Loving
2. Dedicated
3. Honest
4. Integrity
5. And, my “Father Knows Best”
Merrill Dubrow says:
Barry,
I hope all is well in Boston. I still remember the first time I met your Dad – way back in 1979. WOW! Amzing we graduated 25 years ago – thanks for sharing.
Merrill
Lynn Stalone says:
AMAZING
DEMANDING
YOUTHFUL
ECCENTRIC
SAGE
Like Ed, that is just the tip of the iceberg. I have come to appreciate these different aspects of him as an adult. As a kid, I saw him as responsible, hard-working, strong and tough. He has embraced retirement with a vigor and enthusiasm for complex large projects that I can only marvel at. He was an inspiration for me as a young person and continues to inspire (and even surprise me) as an adult!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Lynn,
I love the words youthful and demanding to describe your Dad!
Good for you!
Merrill
Amy Shields says:
It’s nice to see so many others who feel the same way about their Father as I do; it’s almost hard to think of him without overwhelming emotion. I am fortunate to have a father who is:
1. Devoted
2. Adored
3. Principled
4. Noble
5. Encouraging
Merrill Dubrow says:
Amy,
Love the word noble!
Thanks for sharing.
Merrill
Fee Sepahi says:
Ok, I lost my dad in 1987 and he divorced my mom when I was 9 or 10. So I’m here to provide the non-supportive side……
1) Non-existent
2) Scattered
3) Frivolous
4) Non-committed
5) Talented
All is well and I turned out great, thanks to my mom (who also played dad)!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Fee,
Sorry to hear that – but really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and yes you turned out GREAT!
Merrill
jack reynolds says:
my dad was hard working, compassionate, enlightened, open , and intelligent.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Jack,
Hope all is well in Boston. New words like enlightened and open are really terrific words to describe someone.
I am sure your tennis game is still awesome!
Speak to you soon.
Merrill
Bill Neal says:
Toughest man I ever knew
Jane Rosen says:
My Dad just turned 85 and we celebrated his birthday and my parent’s 65th anniversary on a family cruise and had an incredible time. Since my parents had been married the longest of anyone on the ship, they participated in the ‘newlywed’ game with a couple married 4 days and one married 35 years. My parents not only won, but were REALLY funny. Although my Dad is in really good health for his age, he tells people he doesn’t buy green bananas anymore and is happy when he realizes he has woken up to another day. 5 words to describe him:
1. Optimistic
2. Funny
3. Kind
4. Sociable
5. Satisfied
Steve Runfeldt says:
Merrill, Thanks for a good one.
We lost my Dad in 1994. My brothers were just visiting so we visited him. He was a WWII veteran and is in the National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Honest
Strong
Hardworking
Patient
Stubborn
Thanks for this one.
Janet Baldi says:
Thanks for this post, Merrill. I feel that I have the greatest Dad in the world. My Mom passed away when my 3 Sisters and myself were ages 17-7. My Dad took on the role of “Mom” immediately as he continued to be an incredible Dad. He made us all feel completely secure at all times and he continues to be a huge part of all of our lives. Here are my five:
Supportive
Hard working
Loyal
Sincere
Friend
Merrill Dubrow says:
Janet,
thanks for your thoughts. Considering I know Joe you probably struggled keeping it to only 5 words! He is a great, smart, thoughtful, terrific researcher and a person who loves the industry and continues to give something back.
You are very lucky!
Thanks again.
Merrill
Steve Schlesinger says:
Wow – need to give you the 5 best when there are probably 500 that I could use. I guess I sort of get 10 if Debby answers as well.
Here you go:
1. Loving
2. Caring
3. Understanding
4. Kind
5. Patient
Have to tell you that he passed about 7 years ago and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. Stories and memories that will be with me forever.
debby says:
It is almost too difficult to try to describe my Dad in 5 words. As I write this, my eyes are welling up. As Steve said, our Dad passed away 7 years ago and it doesn’t get any easier, maybe a little less painful, but not any easier. These words get added to Steve’s.
1-Positive
2-Affectionate
3-Genuine
4-Sweet
5-Compassionate
For any of you who were fortunate enough to have met our Dad, you would know that these words are just a touch of Joe Schlesinger.
Ed Sugar says:
Debby -
My father passed away in 1985 and like yourself this was a very difficult exercise.
Ed
Ginger Blazier says:
Thanks for asking this question, Merrill, because it comes at a very appropriate time for me. My dad passed away in 1985, on March 4th, (which is 2 days from now.) As Debby mentioned time heals some of the pain, but does not make it easier, especially when things come up that you know you would have asked his advice or cried on his shoulder. The amazing thing is that I know he and my mom will always watch over us and “channel” their strength to my siblings and me. Though, like many of you, there are more than 5 words to describe my dad, the ones at the top of the list are:
Supportive
Loving
Patient
Honest
Ethical
(Love you, Dad.)
Merrill Dubrow says:
Ginger,
Really nice words – thanks for posting your thoughts.
Merrill
Will Morris says:
My dad passed away a little over a year ago and I miss him. He was:
1. Unselfish
2. Hard-working
3. Dedicated
4. Strong
5. Best friend (2 words, one meaning)
Merrill Dubrow says:
Will,
Best friend – great word (s). Thanks for sharing.
Merrill
leslie case says:
Dad.
1. Inspirational
2. Loyal
3. Thoughtful
4. Creative
5. No nonsense!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Leslie,
I remember meeting your Dad for the very first time way back in 1985. I drove out to Armonk NY and was really nervous. Even though the staff was great with Jean, Barbara, Anne and others I was still really nervous being around your Dad. I remember thinking that Ed was a research “god” he had amazing clients (general foods and others) and was so instrumental in so many product launches……. Seriously he was MR Research!
Thanks for sharing.
Merrill
Willie Martin says:
1.He
2.Is
3.One
4.Decent
5.Man
My Dad
Lisa Cooper says:
Rather than feeling that there are an abundance of words to describe my dad, I’m actually finding that every word I consider fails to convey what I want everyone to know about Joe Baldi. After much deliberation, here they are:
Loving
Loyal
Present
Strong
Optimistic
Meg says:
This is a great topic. My dad passed away a couple of years ago and after his passing he was mentioned in the local area paper editorial column. He was known by many. The editorialist described my dad as “an original, the kind of guy you always hoped would be there when you went to a function.” Although it was hard to stick to just 5 words, it was wonderful to thinking about it.
Optimistic
Encouraging
Brilliant
Loved
Spiritual
Deb Forte says:
Miss my dad so so much. It will be three years this summer. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for all he has shown me.
Positive!!
Proud
Loving
Funny
Smart
He totally amazed me how he never lost who he was. Raising thirteen children was a chore and a half. We all have a wonderful relationship because of my dads upbringing. ROCK ON!!
Laurie says:
Five words that describe my dad would be:
Tolerant
Active
Proud
Caring
Giving
He is like a fine bottle of wine, he has gotten better with age. As I have gotten older I have come to appreciate him more and more.
Jennifer says:
Intelligent
Kind
Funny
Caring
No nonsense
Sheryl Cronin says:
honest
Patient
generous
Kind
Hard-working
I feel blessed to have such a great father in my life. Our relationship keeps getting better and better!
Deb Stoughton says:
My dad just turned 72 and is still going strong!!
Hero
Strong
Hardworking
Caring
Stubborn (never tell him it can’t be done – he will find a way)