Beatty – Lessons Learned

Ann: Brenda and I want to sum up with some of the things we felt like we learned from both our parents. We felt like we learned fairness and maybe some empathy for underdogs; consistent; good grammar (that was a must); love of family; friendship; good manners; etiquette; search for excellence. Dad would say, if I came home with a 98, “Why didn’t you make a hundred?” He was kidding, I think.

Brenda has a story about teasing she wants to mention.

Brenda: What to do if someone is teasing: Another of his great things he once told me, when moved out to the house on 120 and there were people around we played with a lot. There was a certain guy that lived across the road from us, a little bit older, who was always calling me funny little names, but not mean, just teasing. And when you are little you get upset about stuff like that. I use to go home I would be sad or I could be crying, I don’t remember. And Dad would say, “Now, listen, just don’t forget, nobody bothers to tease anybody that they don’t like.” So that was a big help.

We both got a desire to travel, to see new places, to see historical sites, museums (my husband, whatever he wants to go to, that works out fine). He also taught us to lose well. He said, “It’s fine to win. You need to win well and be gracious in winning. But you are going to lose more than you win. So learn how to lose too, and to be a team player.” And he especially talked to us about when you are playing basketball. “You know, there is always somebody open, if you’re tied up, so look for that open person, you don’t have to do all the shooting.”

We feel like they did a good job. I know one thing, when I was principal my kids always wanted to know where my electric paddle was. I have no idea where that got started because I didn’t even paddle kids, especially the last years, you know. But they thought there was an electric paddle in that office someplace, so they didn’t like to come. So, I guess like Dad that kinda wore off on me too.

Ann: Thank you very much for letting us come tonight. It has been a very enjoyable evening and we appreciate very much that you have been so supportive of our family over the years.

 

Recorded at the Society’s 3rd annual Gathering, October 9, 2009.