Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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January 16, 2009

Jack Frost, the Lights, and What My Dad Taught Me

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 9:15 pm

When the Frost Makes the Lights



It was 21 below out west of Chicago.

My dad was born in 1907. He left home when he was 12. He got a job fixing shoes 70 hours a week for 50 cents. He roomed in a small house with a man and his sister. He did chores for his food and rent. When he was seventeen, he found a job working in 700 degree heat, silvering mirrors. It didn’t pay much, but it was work. On the day that Prohibition was repealed, my dad was 24. He and the guy who took him in opened the saloon this blog hails back to.

My never talked about being poor or cold. He told stories mostly about people and how they think.

Think smart, work hard, and take care of folks who need. He didn’t say those things. He did them.

I look at below zero temperatures on my iPhone, and I think of people like my dad who had, and have, life so much harder than we do. Can you imagine? I’m grateful for the heat I’m feeling. It’s been a while since I saw frost on my windows.

But I remember real frost and the frost that was just inside me.

I remember my dad and I looking out windows at how Jack Frost made the lights beautiful.
I’d look in his eyes and see those lights and myself reflected back at me.
I’d see what he was living for and what I was living for too.

Here’s what my dad taught me.
Own yourself and you own your life.

Head, heart, and seeing your light.
The frost can make the light beautiful.

Don’t let a little hoary, cold, frost stop you.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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41 Comments to “Jack Frost, the Lights, and What My Dad Taught Me”

  1. January 16th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
    --Deb said

    Oh, Liz … what a beautiful post. I’m getting all misty, here.

  2. January 16th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
    Amy said

    I wish I’d had a chance to meet your father. I think I would have liked him. I’m grateful for the things he taught you, because otherwise you wouldn’t be here teaching them to us. :-)

    P.S. I went out this afternoon, and tonight. My head hurts a bit from the cold, but I had so much fun tonight I don’t care. One thing my father taught ME was how to deal with a headache. ;-)

  3. January 16th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
    Jamie Grove said

    Beautiful post, Liz. I especially like that last line…

    “Don’t let a little hoary, cold, frost stop you.”

    Today when I got to my office I saw the frozen lake outside, and I thought “I bet I could walk across that lake.”

    All day long I kept thinking about walking across the lake, but I kept brushing it off. Till about 3PM.

    I couldn’t take it anymore. I said, “There’s only one way to find out.”

    So I grabbed my coat and went down to the first floor, trucked across the street and down to the ice. It was scary at first, but I kept walking around. Feeling my way. I made it about 1/4 of the way till the ice got a bit slushy.

    I didn’t feel disappointed at all about not making it across. I was happy that I didn’t let a little cold stop me from trying. :)

  4. January 16th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
    Holly M said

    good parental lessons :)

  5. January 16th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
    meg Colombo said

    wow. That is moving, revealing, true and it hits an inner chord. My father died 28 years ago and still - there is that strong golden thread - the guide to follow. thanks for this - the reminder.

  6. January 16th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Oh Deb,
    I love when you visit. :)

  7. January 16th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Amy,
    My dad would have loved you and so would have gotten your jokes. Soon enough you would have been teasing him. :)

  8. January 16th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Jamie,
    I’m so glad your day and mine came together in this way. Your comment is the perfect story to go with this one. Thank you!

  9. January 16th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
    Avital said

    What a beautiful story. I also wish I met your father - he sounds like a great man and reminds me of my own grandfathers! Thank you for this inspiring post!!!

  10. January 16th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
    Naimhe said

    Well put. I think about my foremothers farming in the midwest before such amenities as central heat and indoor plumbing, how they spent the whole day working and making food to feed their families, and how uncomplaining and strong they were.

  11. January 16th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Avital,
    Many people who met felt that way about him. Sometimes I’d introduce friends so they could see his eyes light up. We were a special pair. :)

  12. January 16th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
    Eddie (esonline) said

    Liz, I would have enjoyed meeting and speaking with your dad. He seemed to share the same values and work ethic as my dad. We should all be so proud of our dad. I appreciate this post. It is a warmer evening because of it. Thank you.

  13. January 16th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
    Conrad said

    I loved the story. My father always used the shortened Shakespeare verse:
    To thine own self be true…

    Slightly different meaning, but I think both knew what they were talking about.

  14. January 16th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
    Glenda said

    Liz, I can tell your father was wise by the way his daughter is also wise. Your Dad would be proud.

  15. January 16th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
    Gavin Heaton said

    “But I remember real frost and the frost that was just inside me.” — beautiful, Liz.

  16. January 16th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Naimbe,
    I think of how cold it must have been to get out of bed in the morning. Ohhhhh. Ouch. How miserable.

  17. January 16th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #4
    Hi Holly,
    Welcome and thank you.

  18. January 16th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #5
    Hi Meg,
    I understand. I see my dad in so many people and so many stories. I’m glad you found yours here.

  19. January 16th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
    Prakash said

    Wonderful lessons . from a Great Dad.

    Loved the post.

  20. January 16th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #12,
    Eddie,
    Because of wht you wrote, I’d like to meet your father’s son. :)

  21. January 16th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Conrad,
    Slightly different, like two snowflakes. Yeah.

  22. January 16th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    My dad was always proud of me and I was always proud of him. In the best way. Thank you for noticing. :)

  23. January 16th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
    James D Kirk said

    You’ve hidden a little gem inside this post, Ms. Strauss.

    Gratitude

    Being grateful is one of the most overlooked, under appreciated laws of success!

    Clearly, this was instilled in you by a wise man. I’m grateful you’re sharing the lesson with those of us who could always be more grateful for what we have; and could have in this world of ours.

  24. January 16th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thank you, Gavin.

  25. January 16th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
    Kathleen Buckley said

    “He told stories mostly about people and how they think.” No matter how times and technology change, this will remain.

  26. January 16th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    James,
    We were lucky to find you. Thank you for becoming so quickly part of us.

    You’re not a stranger. :)

  27. January 17th, 2009 at 9:54 am
    chris Zydel said

    Dear Liz,

    What a beautiful post. Now we know where all your heart and wisdom comes from! You are very blessed to have had such a wonderful father. Thanks for keeping up the grand tradition of helpfulness and integrity that started with your dad!

    Chris

  28. January 17th, 2009 at 9:55 am
    Karen said

    That was truly beautiful. Your father gave you great treasure!

  29. January 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
    VickyH said

    That makes me think of Terry Starbucker and his 2009 motto. I love the ‘Own yourself and you own your life.’

    Still creating my motto for2009, my mini Mission Statement for me. I’d be interested to know if others have come up with their 2009 statements.

    Beautiful post Liz, as usual.

    VickyH

  30. January 17th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
    Bean said

    Beautiful images through the photo and your words.
    I am getting ready to head into the land of snow and ice in Colorado next weekend. My surrogate dad’s cancer has returned and he wants a “great adventure” with me before he dies. He wants a road trip and he wants the wilderness. I am a little nervous about the long icy drive but neither of us wants regrets that we didn’t take the opportunity before it is too late.

  31. January 17th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
    Lucretia Pruitt said

    The best lessons in life are transferred from one heart to another - your Dad clearly passed this one on.

    (((((((((hug))))))))))

    Beautiful post Liz!

  32. January 17th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
    links for 2009-01-17 « Shashi Bellamkonda - Social Media Swami said

    [...] Jack Frost, the Lights, and What My Dad Taught Me - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writi… [...]

  33. January 17th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
    Eddie (esonline) said

    Ms. Strauss, It would be an honor and privilege. :-)

  34. January 18th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
    links for 2009-01-18 « Shashi Bellamkonda - Social Media Swami said

    [...] Jack Frost, the Lights, and What My Dad Taught Me - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writi… [...]

  35. January 18th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
    Janice Cartier said

    Aughhh, just beautiful. Heartfelt thanks for that.

    Lessons of the heart always trump material legacies. Stay cozy and warm, Liz.

  36. January 18th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Chris and Karen,
    Thank you. He was a great man. Wish everyone could have met him.

  37. January 18th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Vicky
    I can’t wait to hear what you finally decide is your own.

  38. January 18th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ah Bean,
    A great adventure makes a great memory. I’ll be thinking of you while you’re gone.

  39. January 18th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Lucretia,
    And I’m passing it on to you. ((hugs))

  40. January 18th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #33
    Eddie,
    Doesn’t seem like it should be impossible. ;)

  41. January 18th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thank you, Janice,
    Yeah, I agree about the legacy. :)

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