Marie Maltese of Catonsville picked up a lot from her father -- and father-in-law.

My father taught me to . . . .

Never tell a lie.  You'll only have to remember the lie and tell more lies to cover up the lie and you'll just get caught in the end anyway.  I learned the validity of this at a young age, and don't know if it's his training or Catholic guilt or both, but that's a core lesson for me.

Multiplication: Dad and I went through flash cards every single night for months when I was in third grade, and I can still multiply like a machine thanks to his tutelage.

Dad taught me how to solder components for electronics when I was in the first grade.  What can I say? Dad was an electrical engineer . . .

Dad taught me to garden; he comes from a family of farmers, and everyone in our family finds a place for at least a few tomato plants, if nothing else, in order to compete for the first ripe tomato of the season-before July 4th!  He taught me to love vegetables, that no meal was complete without at least one green vegetable, and more green vegetables were better for you than potatoes, pasta, or rice.  He even taught me how to can tomatoes.

Dad taught me when to look for the fastball; that the baseball season is long and a couple of losses are not the end of the world; when to start thinking about putting in the relief pitcher, and that the #1 baseball player of all time is Brooksie.

Family is everything. 

Turn the lights out when you leave the room. 

Save your money. 

Something you don't need, on sale, is not a great deal. 

Beware of credit cards! 

Naps are good for you. 

Education is worth fighting and scrimping and saving for -- and it is something no one can ever take away from you. 

A good work ethic will see you through every day.  On the other hand, a planned early retirement to live at the beach is a sweet way to live your life. 

But most of all, Dad taught me that love doesn't have to be spoken in so many words; a person's actions will always show their love for you more than a few flowery phrases.  Dad has never had to say that he loves me, I know he holds me deep and true in his heart.

I'd also like to add a couple of things I have been blessed to learn from my husband's Father too. Pop is a retired school teacher- a natural teacher!  Most important of all, I have learned the importance of a deep and abiding faith from Pop.  He is one of the most spiritual people I know, and his example is a shining star to me. 

Pop has taught me patience with illness, with hearing loss, and to quietly observe the world around me.  He and I share a love of the coast; and he has shared his memories, his knowledge of the weather, the winds, and the tides, and best of all, he has taught me how to handle a boat, a lifelong dream for me.  He has taught me about his travels with my mother-in-law, and of all the wonderful places they've been and encouraged me to travel as well.  He has taught me so much about the importance of family, about being there with family through the good times and the hard times, because that is the way it is supposed to be.