Attribute #21 - Appreciation

Dad

Appreciation: gratitude; thankful recognition; the act of estimating the qualities of things and giving them their proper value; clear perception or recognition, especially of aesthetic quality

Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

D&C 78:19
He who receives all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious.

Dad taught me to appreciate the finer things in life, and that it wasn't necessary to have a lot of money in order to do so. We'd listen to the Metropolitan Opera on the radio while cleaning out the garage on Saturdays. While he did pay for piano lessons, we were also encouraged to take advantage of learning how to play other instruments through school, and then share those talents with others.

He also taught us to appreciate our heritage. He loves genealogy, and is grateful for the lessons taught him by his parents and grandparents, and he passed those along to us.

Reading from Grandfather's journal after Thanksgiving dinner one year.

His preferences and manners remind me of the atmosphere described in this talk by Elder Callister - Our Refined Heavenly Home. 

Here are a couple of BYU devotionals on the subject:

Where Much is Given - Some Thoughts on Appreciation

Appreciation - A Sign of Maturity

I'm positive Dad is grateful that his great-grandson is learning to "aprisheat" others, particularly his mother. I only remember my dad raising his voice once, when a foster brother showed disrespect to my mother. I hope his posterity always remembers how much he loves and appreciates his wife, and how much he loves and appreciates them as well.

Glimpses of their beautiful and refined, and even holiday-decorated, living room with just two of their beautiful great-grandchildren.

Last year's attribute - Loyalty