Forged by Fire: Lessons of Grit from My Dad

Today marks the third anniversary of my dad’s passing, and I find myself reflecting on the profound lessons he taught me — lessons that shaped who I am, both personally and professionally.

My dad was born in Germany in 1939, just as WWII began. His childhood was marked by resilience—losing his father in 1945 on the day the war ended leaving his mother to raise 7 children on her own while rebuilding.

He didn’t know anything but hard work.

My dad completed an apprenticeship as a blacksmith and spent his career in steel construction. Blacksmithing became his passion and hobby. Until his final days, he crafted beautiful things with iron and fire.

As a child, I’d wake up on weekends to the sound of hammering and cutting tools. My dad was always building, fixing, or creating. The idea of work-life balance, something our generation talks so much about, wasn’t part of his vocabulary—it was just what you did.

Little did I realize at the time how much I was learning from him.

Watching him taught me about grit: the importance of working hard, showing up, and doing the right thing even when it’s not easy.

What is grit? It's courage and resolve; strength of character!

These fundamentals, instilled by both my dad and my mom, have guided me throughout my career and life. I owe so much of my resilience and drive to them.

Today, I honor his memory by sharing not only his story but also a few images of the incredible creations he made by this dying trade, as well as those special moments he spent teaching my son. His legacy lives on in the values he passed down.

I am sure we all have lessons from those who came before us and use their grit to inspire our own journeys.

#Resilience #HardWork #Grit #LessonsFromDad