March 5, 2009

Mighty Oaks from Tiny Acorns Grow...

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We drove up to Northern California this last weekend to attend my Dad's 32nd Annual Breakfast - the annual breakfast to which he invites all his clients and gives them an update/overview of their investments and the economy at large as well as a nice meal. It's been awhile since I've attended and 'twas nice to see all the clients and business partners. And it all got me to thinking 'bout things ... things like honesty, and integrity, and conservatism, and valuing and caring rightly about the trust that people place in you.

Do you remember that scene in It's a Wonderful Life when George and Mary Bailey dig into their own pockets to keep the bank doors open til closing? My Dad pulled that same kind of maneuver back in the 80's when his quick-thinking, out-of-the-box ingenuity saved his clients' properties from going under. When other real-estate syndicators were walking away from their properties (and their responsibility to their clients), Dad was raising funds to keep his properties afloat in cash-flow-negative years until interest rates finally dropped. And, it worked.

I'm glad and grateful that my boys need not look any further than to their own Dad, Grandfathers and Uncles to find men who walk in integrity in their business dealings.

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16 comments:

Rhea said...

What a great post, both visually and intellectually! That's so neat about your dad. A wonderful role model for your boys.

And I love that tree. Very cool photo effects.

Ally said...

Amen! I wish so many others had those same qualities. It is good to hear that our children still have stable role models today. Beautiful picture.

Holly said...

Wonderful. Your father sounds like an exceptional man.

Bird's Eye View Photography said...

Wow! Love these pictures. Absolutely beautiful!!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

Beautiful pictures of the Oaks. Reminds me of the cute saying "The mighty Oak was once a little nut who stood its ground".

Sounds like you have some remarkable men for you boys to look up to. What a treasure!

Teri said...

That is my favorite movie of all time. I don't even know how many times I have watched it. Congrats on your hubby being such a wonderful role model for the guys.

fxmixer said...

Amen to integrity and honesty. I think they're in shorter supply than the water in California.

Heidi said...

Excellent food for thought, Susan. So many kids in our society *don't* have that kind of role model to follow. They are rarely encouraged to 'do the hard (but right) thing.' I'm glad that my husband and father are great role models for my sons.

Your father sounds like a wonderful man!! Great story with perfect images.

Mom2Da'Gorgeouses said...

Oh I love this post. I love the mighty oaks that surround us, they're scattered here and there in our valley. But I especially love the story about your dad, and the fact that there are still people like him in the world gives me HOPE.

Hugs & Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Your dad sounds like a pretty spectacular guy!

Also, on your un-posted post, here's my opinion: survival of the fittest. Humans = obviously more fit than Smelt. God wants us to take care of the earth He's given us, yes, but to the detriment of our own health and well-being? Hmm...

angie {the arthur clan} said...

It's wonderful when you can find good, Christian role models for your children right within your family! My children are blessed with the same thing in our family and I am so grateful for that.

Skeller said...

Whoops. Heidi-
I goofed and forgot I had set my Smelt post to post. And that would have been two wordy posts in a row, which is two too many for "short on words." It'll show up again in a couple days.
But, yeah. There's a continuum between being a good steward of God's creation and being just plain silly. Plus the equation is even more complicated. The delta itself is fed by reservoirs higher up. If the reservoirs are drained NOW to keep delta levels higher, then there won't be cool water to release into the delta in the hot summer months to cool down the salmon spawn. Nevermind the effect of the "unnaturally introduced" striped bass into the delta, which preys on the smelt. And, oh yeah, the smelt are currently being "farmed" in Northern CA, so I'm not sure how the claim can be made that they are nearing extinction status.

Complicated, I tell ya. But gosh, I get all hot under the collar when we hold back water from the farmers.

Lizzie said...

glad the investment breakfast went well, many similar meetings aren't going so well these days :-/

pretty tree :)

Anonymous said...

What a great dad.

The processing on the first image is amazing, I totally love it.

B Dad

Heather said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Susan!! And what a beautiful example of the LORD's handiwork~

And yes, how blessed we are to have a godly heritage for our children... I'm so thankful for my father & my husband and the lives they model for my boys (and my daughter :) I know the influence they have is (& will continue to be) tremendous, and I'm just so grateful for that ;)

Unknown said...

I think it is a great legacy he is leaving to his children and grandchildren. Even more important than the wealth he will leave, he will leave the gift of integrity and honesty. I love that. Love it so much. And, of course, I LOVE your pictures : ).