First book is labor of love for this daddy’s girl
Reprinted from USC TIMES, June, 2004.
Interview by Larry Wood
Vasilisa Hamilton has always been proud to be a daddy’s girl. Now, she is sharing what she learned from her father with the world.
Hamilton, an editor in University Publications, recently published her first book, Papa Didn’t Preach: Words of Wisdom for Daddy’s Girls, and sat down to talk to TIMES about some of the valuable life lessons her father, the late Merritt Hamilton, taught her.
Q. How would you define a daddy’s girl?
A. In my case, my dad was my best friend. We exchanged jokes and newspaper clippings. We went to movies together. He was really cool, and I felt like I could talk to him about anything.
Q. What inspired you to write the book?
A. It started as an essay. I had nominated my dad for the S.C. Father of the Year award. The essay appeared in The State newspaper in 2000. I shared it with a couple of friends who encouraged me to expand on it. I thought it would be a good way to deal with my grief. For me, writing is very therapeutic. It’s a way to pay tribute to my father. In this age of designer-priced gasoline, abused and neglected children, under-employment, unemployment, lack of health care, and the on-going war, it’s a nice, positive, affirming story. I wish more children had someone like my father in their lives.
Q. How would you describe the book?
A. The book opens with the essay. There are 56 lessons I write about that I learned from him. Some are humorous and lighthearted and others more serious and poignant. He was a farmer, and I grew up on a farm. I wanted to write about some of the ideas he cultivated in me. The lessons are about life and living and work and play and how to enjoy life and realize what is really important in life. The first lesson is “Be a Man or Woman of Your Word.” That’s one thing dad would always tell my sister and me. That’s something that I always try to do.
Q. What are some of the other lessons?
A. One of my favorite ones is “Don’t Get Salty with People when You’re in the Wrong.” My dad would always say people need someone to tell them right from wrong or be honest with them—as frank as a hot dog. We would always say we may not agree but you can count on me.
Q. What is the greatest lesson your father taught you?
A. There are several things I learned from him—some of them are so clear I can still hear him talking to me. One thing that everyone knew him for was his sense of humor. He was a big jokester. He always had a funny story or joke to tell. He would always say something to make people laugh. No matter what, he always found time to laugh. He was just a regular person, but to me he was pretty extraordinary. Papa didn’t preach, but the lessons he taught me have made a difference in my life.
Q. Did you have an audience in mind for the book?
A. The subtitle is Words of Wisdom for Daddy’s Girls, but it’s actually for men and women. I’ve talked to friends who are fathers who’ve said they’d love to give copies to their daughters. But I think anyone can find it interesting and humorous because the messages transcend. It’s not based on race, sex, income, gender, or any of those things. The messages are universal.
Q. What do you hope your readers will learn from the book?
A. The book is a testament to love—love of God, family, laughter, freedom. To me, it’s almost like a love letter that I’ve written to my whole family. I hope people will take away from the book that every day is an opportunity to do something good and positive and right and make an impact in their lives and in the lives of others.
Q. Any advice for other daddy’s’ girls?
A. Treasure all the moments. Gain all the wisdom you can.
For more information about Hamilton's book, go to www.PapaDidntPreach.com
6/04
