Like so many other things in my life, I would have to say that the biggest influence in my life is my Dad.
I grew up listening to him play the piano – he is a Classically trained pianist. When I was very small he taught six days out of seven, after work during the week and all Saturday morning. We watched cartoons in silence because the TV and piano were in the same room.
I grew up watching football and baseball with my Dad. In the days before cable, he would have a game on all three channels plus a couple of more going on the radio. And he could keep track of every one of them too! I can’t quite keep up with that many games at once but I have been known to have the TV, ipad, and iphone all going at one time with games.
Musicians have to be able to hear multiple lines of music at the same time, so I guess keeping up with a few ball games at once isn’t all that big of a deal. 🙂
When it came to helping with homework, my Dad taught me how to find the answers; something that came in very useful as a journalist.
One of the many jobs my Dad had working for the Division of Blind Services was teaching Orientation and Mobility. He always made sure that I could read a map and know how to navigate my way around.
With two brothers in the house, Dad spent a lot of time in the yard playing ball – something I couldn’t do, but once in a while he would let me hike the ball – he was always the quarterback…for both sides!
We live on opposite sides of the country now but the things he taught me are still there…even the rules…
He sounds like a great dad