I really am my father's daughter

     Time for the next installment of the Dave Irvine kind of life.  I once again found myself enjoying dinner with my dad last night and I've gained some new insight.  First and foremost, I really am my father's daughter.  A product of years of microscopic attention to detail on behalf of my dad, he has significantly shaped who I am today.  This post is pretty much dedicated to the greatest man alive - David Robert Irvine, BG, JD, whatever other kind of credentials there are, he really is just my dad - and the best dad at that.  It would be extremely selfish of me to keep all his words of wisdom and sound advice to myself, so I thought I'd share a couple gems with anyone who's interested.

      Lesson One - life is best lived "down the middle, off the top."  This comes as a direct result from his own upbringing with Lucy Irvine and the "Aunts" - Effie, Alice, and Evelyn.  My own life is proof that he took their counsel to heart - "how can you repay us?  Do for your kids what we've done for you."  I like to think that in some small way, I've gleaned that trait from my dad.  I sure hope so, because it is uber important to me.  Not that I have kids yet, but the principle applies to the people in my life.  Pass on to others what has been passed on to you - a pay it forward kind of thing.

       Lesson Two - you have to be able to laugh at yourself and the curves thrown at you.  It's the "seaweed vs. coral" principle.  The greatest memories I have are those when I'm laughing with my family (occasionally at them, I'll be honest...hehe).  Usually it's because of some ridiculous bet or challenge that I've lost (Scott is very good at manipulating me for his own entertainment purposes), or because of silly comments I made when I was still young and impressionable.  I once claimed that I was a little boy instead of a little girl - I was three years old - at Bear Lake and I didn't see this family video until company was present twenty years later.  Great. However - lesson number three from my dad applies here - if it doesn't kill you, it builds character.  I should probably have a lot more of that than I do, but hey, I'm a work in progress folks! =)

        Lesson Four - this goes right along with lesson two - "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down."  In my case, physically speaking, this is kind of problematic.  A spoonful of sugar?!?!?  C'mon dad, when was any amount of sugar ever a good thing for a kid with diabetes?  Hmmm.  Metaphorically-speaking, however, that is the most sage piece of advice I've ever received.  Thanks Mary!  My dad and I are "bionic buddies" - medical pals with a faulty heart and pancreas, and through all the shots, finger pricks, late night insulin reactions, blood draws, visits to the doc, open-heart surgery and in his case, even a heart transplant - we've both come out smiling.  Diabetes has never kept me from doing what I've really wanted to do, and it's the same with my dad.  His heart episodes haven't stopped him at all - he can ski and scuba dive with the best of 'em!  Find the fun, and snap! the job's a game - diabetes, work, school, whatever it is, there is always some fun to find.

         Lesson five - "it's nothing personal, your name just happened to come up."  This is probably my most treasured Christmas present from my dad - a framed "Peanuts" cartoon.  This cartoon by Schulz depicts Charlie Brown laying in bed (in a sickly state) with the caption, "sometimes I lie awake at night and wonder, 'why me?'  Then a voice in my head whispers, 'It's nothing personal, your name just happened to come up.'"  This can be applied to so many things in life.  No one is out to get me - I just have to get going when the going gets tough.  Period.

          Lesson six - "to thine own self be true!"  This final lesson (of this post, at least) is probably the most important to me at the moment.  It's a skill that must be acquired.  In my own experience it has taken loads of practice, quite a few mistakes, and plenty of introspection to fine tune.  My dad is a master at it - truly.  I'm still working on it.  When I do manage to pull it off - everything always works out.

          So, there's a glimpse into the Dave Irvine kind of life as seen through the lens of his #4 kid - some rules to live by if you will.  Stay tuned for the next episode...there's definitely more to come!!!