Sunday June 17, 2007Father knows best: Readers share advice, memories of their dads



Editor's note: Readers shared thoughts about their dads' advice and their love for their fathers.



From Tillie Balasa Sowders, Danville



My father, the late Joseph Balasa, also known as Joe the Tailor, was a one-of-a-kind dad. Did he give me good advice or teach me a valuable lesson? Yes, he did - almost daily.



Advice? Yes! "Look before you leap." "A penny saved is a penny earned." "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." And on and on. Dad loved to quote these old adages as he guided us through our childhood.



He lived the valuable lessons he taught us. Although he was deaf and raising his children in two different cultures, he never considered himself handicapped. He took pride in functioning to the fullest in the "deaf world" as well as the "hearing world."



Mr. Balasa taught tailoring at the Kentucky School for the Deaf. He was revered by his students who were heir to the same loving care he gave his children.



Dad, come Dec. 7, I wish you a heavenly 105th birthday.



Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2007