I learned a couple things from my dad:
1.To note the absurdity in certain things of life and to equip yourself with a healthy sense of humor so as not to be engulfed completely by sadness. Face up to the challenges and absurdities, but at least with something of a wry smile.
2. In addition, he taught me that learning & education extend far beyond the confines of school. In technical terms, I have more schooling than my father, but in real life terms, my father is far more learned than I am and I'm forever catching up. When I'm finally in, he's out and onto the next thing. Cultivating a quick mind is one of the goals and attributes I really admire about him.
John Lane
Baltimore

What I learned from my dad:
He stressed that our lives were blessed and showed, through example, how to express our gratitude to God.
He taught us the healing power of humor and laughter, even during life's most difficult events.
He taught us tolerance, for each other, and for all people in different walks of life.
He taught us that effective communication was essential in matters of love, marriage, friendships and careers.
He taught us to make decisions by asking advice,listing pros and cons and asking ourselves, " What's the worse that could happen?"
He became a reformed male chauvinist after assuming his deceased wife's responsibilities and on the day he realized we (his daughter and son-in-law)could not pay the mortgage on our rowhouse without his daughter's income!
As he was dying he asked us (his children) to stay close to one another and to remember him and mom, not as perfect human beings, but as the genuine  people ("warts and all") they strove to be.  
Kathleen Baldwin
Towson, Md.