Memorable Life Lessons from Dad - Insights From a Motivational Speaker

All motivational speakers have families and family can be a great source of inspiring stories.

This is one that my wife read at the father's funeral.

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Hardworking & Resourceful

If he’d had a mantra it would have been “Can Do”

and if he had a second mantra it was “never let not having the skills or tools to do the job get in the way!”

His tool box of choice was the kitchen cutlery drawer and a simple kitchen knife was used to do all manner of jobs from electrical repairs to concreting and gardening.

His tool of choice was his small children. Perfect to climb into small cavities to locate plumbing and wiring.

Mishelle and Guy - the youngest and smallest- were his favourites.

And if you were lucky, he’d remember to turn off the power before he’d pass live wires through for them to hold!!!

But I never felt left out. Dad always had something special in store for me…

Driving lessons

PAUSE

I prefer to call them unforgettable life-lessons.

Time to share with you the Xmas Holidays camping in Gisborne story.

We were not seasoned campers.

Hard working and resourceful Dad made do with what we had on hand.

Hence most of the kitchen, including the china crockery was redeployed for the trip.

I don’t remember the camping so much as the drive home.

Everything was crammed into the car along with us 4 kids and the china crockery?

It was stacked loosely on the luggage rack behind the back seat.

Dad obviously thought he may as well kill two birds with one stone and use the driving time to give 14 year old me a driving lesson. What could possibly go wrong!!!

So a few kms out of Napier it was time for me to take over the wheel. We bunny hopped and drove along for a while. Nobody was too concerned.

Guy was too busy trying to avoid throwing up with his head out the window.

Mouse was just busy trying to protect herself from Dick’s constant pranks and avoiding chewing gum in her hair!

Not sure what Mum was doing? Probably just looking glamorous and singing along to the music. 

As we got closer to town we came up to the first set of traffic lights which had turned red.

Dad hadn’t given me the traffic light part of the lesson yet so I didn’t know I had to slow down.

I got that part of the lesson when Dad yelled

Break

BREAK

BREAK

At the last moment I finally hit the brakes, stalled the car and all the crockery flew forward crashing everywhere. It was chaos.

I jumped out of the car stomping my feet up and down - who could imagine - whilst Dad is yelling at me to get back in the car.

Behind us was a bus load of people, loving the entertainment.

Dad did love his musical comedies but this was more of a farce than a comedy!!!

I finally relented, got back in the passenger seat and we made our merry way home with half a load of broken plates and a few cuts and bruises.

Yes, a memorable holiday.

And that’s what the best memories are made of, isn’t it. The small everyday stuff.

And dad was always there for us for that.

Whether it be hairy driving lessons, ferrying us to sports or playing a very competent domestic goddess.

Dick remembers the very good peanut brownies he would make and the mean roasts.

Mouse remembers the little green satin dress he ran up for her for a function. Yes, he was also a dab hand on the sewing machine. Puckered seams and ill fitting, but made with good intentions.

Guy remembers… [get a guy memory]

We’ve got lots of memories because Dad did the small stuff with us.

To round off, I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to all the family who really stepped up to the plate in the last few weeks of Dad’s life.

Whether it was spending countless hours at his bedside, providing him a warm loving home for respite or helping him eat and drink, everyone did their best and he died knowing he was loved.

For this, we’ll remember you.

Thank you 

Summary:

A tribute to a resourceful father who embodied a "can do" spirit, using whatever was at hand—often kitchen tools and his own children—for repairs and projects. He was a master of improvisation, from turning off the power sometimes during electrical fixes to using his small children to help with plumbing. One memorable story features a chaotic driving lesson during a family camping trip, with crockery flying and family antics creating a comedy scene. Through these small, everyday moments—driving lessons, cooking, ferrying kids to sports, or even sewing a green satin dress—Dad left his children with fond memories of his hard work, love, and dedication. In his final days, the family came together, ensuring he was surrounded by love and care.

Lessons Learned:

• Resourcefulness matters: You don’t always need the right tools or skills to get the job done; creativity can fill the gap.
• Embrace imperfections: Life's memorable moments are often messy and chaotic but full of laughter and love.
• Family support is key: In times of need, family stepping up to care for one another is the ultimate sign of love.
• Small everyday moments create lasting memories: The best memories often come from simple, day-to-day interactions.
• Teach through experience: Practical, hands-on lessons, even when chaotic, often leave the deepest impact.