NOTHING LIKE A FATHER’S COUNSEL

Afather's advice carries the weight of wisdom and experience. In his words lie a treasure trove of life lessons. From teaching resilience to imparting values, he guides with unwavering love. Whether practical or profound, his advice molds us, shaping the path we walk. A father's counsel, forever cherished, forever valued. The Houston Style Magazine staff shares a little advice they learned from their fathers.

There is one thing I could always count on my father to do every time the weather was bad, and that was to call with a driving lesson. "Jo, you have to remember that the streets are really slick when it rains. You have to be careful and drive slowly," I still hear him say. Whenever the wind blows just a little too furious, when the rain is downright blinding, and when the thunder sounds like a bolt of lightning, I remember my daddy. No matter how many years of good driving I had under my belt, it was never enough for him to think I would be safe while driving through a storm. Now, I wish for my phone to ring with those tried-and-true lessons, but no worries, Daddy. I heard him. The lessons stuck. I am forever grateful for a loving father.

-Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Growing up, my father was not in my life, but Pastor Steve Crampton (Rest In peace) was. Even though he had children, and I was older, he always had advice for me that I still use to this day. Of course, he would say, "Study the Word," but he also would tell me that "I don't have to fight every battle alone."

It was what I needed at the time, especially being the oldest in a single-parent household.

-Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

My father has fostered in my brother and me an understanding of dedication to duty and a love for putting responsibility first for faith, family, fiscal restraint, and fidelity to Country and Community. Captain Michael Levine, MD (US Navy-Ret), and a disabled Vietnam War Veteran pushed Steve and me to know that delayed gratification is what is more likely to get you where you need to go. It is his sacrifice and service that set us to put those priorities first.

-Burt

Levine, Political Writer

My dad would tell me a lot of things father to son, but the one thing he would tell me anytime I started on a new path or a new journey, is to see it through. "Finish what you started son." Don't ever give up. I stick to that advice daily.

- Cameron C. Lee, Layout Editor