“If you’re going to do something, then do it right.”
Those words, spoken by my father, came to me the winter of my thirteenth year as I delivered newspapers along my route on the streets of Elmwood Park, a suburb of Chicago. It was the winter of 1976 and we were in the clutch of a terrific, trademark Chicago blizzard. The streets were buried in three-foot drifts and my fingers ached with a bone-freezing chill through two pairs of wool gloves as I tossed rolled newspapers from the passenger window of our beat-up Chevy station wagon while my dad navigated the icy terrain. He usually didn’t chauffer me; I rode the six-mile route on my bike with papers nestled neatly into a burlap sack woven across the handlebars. But, today he’d decided the snow was a little more than my bubblegum-pink bike could handle, hence the unsolicited lesson in proper newspaper delivery. I really didn’t care what his thoughts were at the time; all I wanted was to get home to the warmth of our living room. Yet, with each paper that missed its mark Dad made me exit the car, retrieve the paper, and walk it up to the customer’s cleared front porch.
I was a bit—okay, more than a bit—miffed at him that day, as it took several hours to finish the route and I was sure I’d permanently lost the use of a couple of fingers and toes in the process. But, as the following days passed, Dad’s words stayed with me. If you’re going to do something, then do it right. Little did I understand at the time that they would become a cornerstone of my work ethic over the decades to come, guiding me from a naive teenager to an award-winning teacher and principal, as well as a published author.
With Dad’s encouragement, in the months and years to come I wrote and read everything I could devour, and then wrote and wrote and read some more. I was blessed to also have wonderful teachers along the way, who took the time to lift me up, to ask about my writing, to talk with me as if both my dreams and I truly mattered.
Over the years, writing has become a part of me so huge that I cannot imagine life without it. Removing writing from my life would be like attempting to live without breathing—impossible. I have continued to write through moves from Chicago to the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, through college, marriage, career changes, and the deaths of both my parents.
I have never, ever stopped writing, and I try my best to pay that encouragement forward. Recently, two former students approached me and, with smiles plastered on their radiant faces said, “When we get published, we’re going to dedicate our book to you.” One of those words, above all the others, made my heart sing—they said when, not if. Sweet music to my ears, as I have managed to pass along the confidence that was instilled in me by several sweet souls who cared along the way.
Sometimes the best life lesson comes in the form of advice from your dad while delivering newspapers on the icy streets of Chicago during a blizzard—if you’re going to do something, then do it right.
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Hi Mary, what a wonderful life lesson from your Dad. I hope that my own kids learn this lesson and take it with them through life. As a teacher I get frustrated by the apathy of many of my students and I struggle with how to empower them to take control of their learning. I wish they all had a Dad like yours:)
Blessings:)
‘And do it right the first time!’
Someone who has learned the truth of hard work will have a much better chance at success in life than other who have been pampered and spoiled.
Mary, what a lovely tribute to a great dad and what a wonderful story about your students planning to dedicate their book to you! Thank you for sharing this!
Hi Mary! Thanks for sharing. Oh the memories your blog brought to mind. Hubby and I moved to Chicago from Michigan during the January 1979 blizzard. I also remember helping my oldest son deliver Sunday papers in the mid 1990s (in SW Michigan). His bike baskets couldn’t hold the thick ad stuffed Sunday papers. “If you’re going to do something, then do it right.” Is advice I gave my sons and my students. Best wishes and stay warm.
Such an important lesson to learn. If you don’t intend to do your work right then you might as well not do it all because someone else will just have to come up behind you and fix it. Thank you for sharing!
Merry Christmas !! Thanks for writing!! My granddaughter , who’s in third grade , writes and illustrates books with chapters. We’ll have to see where it takes her. She loves to create and is always making something. It’s good to encourage kids in their gifts and interests.
Sage advice indeed! Though I’m sure I would have been disgruntled out in that cold wintry weather. Your dedication to your writing career shows in the many enjoyable books you’ve had published.
Thanks for the great reminder about doing things right.
That’s such a picture of your dad’s character. I’ll bet that ride was no picnic for him either. He took the time to instill values of excellence in his daughter.
Beautiful ❤️
Thank you for sharing that wonderful memory (even though it wasn’t so wonderful at the time!). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
What a great reminder!! I remember being told, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” Heaven only knows there are plenty of people that need to be taught this today!! Isn’t it funny, that some of things our parents told us and had us do that made us miffed, are the very things we learned from the most!!
Funny thing, I have that same motto for my own life! I don’t know if it was instilled in me growing up or if it’s just been a natural part of who I am. I’ve always believed in integrity, especially when it comes to the important things in life; work ethics, home, family, etc. Doing things right shows your character and I think that’s an important part of who we are as people. Coworkers and bosses can trust you to do your best, friends know they can count on you, relationships thrive. At least that’s my opinion anyway :-)
Wonderful post Mary! I can see your dad loves you very much and has helped give you the tools to be successful in whatever venture you followed, and I’m sure has been your biggest champion in your writing career :-)
What a wonderful story. I was living in central Illinois during that time and I believe I remember that winter too!
My mother always told me to believe in myself and I can accomplish anything by doing it the right way! Sure has helped me through all these years!