About the Author Peggy Matthews Rose (Lake Forest, CA) has partnered with Pat Williams on the book Read for your Life and is currently working with Williams and Dr. Eugene Griessman on Leadership the Lincoln Way. Read more Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter 1 Wear Your Seat Belt It was July 28, 1995, and the morning of my sixteenth birthday. I was the first person in line at the Orlando Driver's License Bureau. As one of the last in my grade to reach that magical age, I was itching to get behind the wheel by myself. Once I've got that license, I thought, look out, Orlando, here I come!I'd studied so hard to learn the rules of the road, but when that actual test was in front of me, why did they have to ask those questions? But somehow I managed them and made it outside to the actual driving test. Sitting there with an adult who wasn't my dad made me pretty nervous, but eventually I passed the test and got my license.I couldn't believe it when my parents bought me a car. I was on top of the world! With so many siblings (there are nineteen of us and yes, you read that correctly―nineteen), in no time I became chauffeur to my younger brothers and sisters. Not quite the glamour gigs I had in mind, but at least I was the one at the wheel. I felt so grown-up and ready for anything.As we left the house, we would always hear Dad shout, 'Wear your seat belt―it's a death trap out there!' 'Okaaaay, Dad,' we'd groan. I thought I was so grown-up, but I was only sixteen, after all. How was I to know then that Dad was right?What I love to do more than anything in the world is sing, so with my brand-new license, I gladly accepted an invitation to sing at a church in Jacksonville, Florida. It was my first big road trip by myself. Here I am, world! I made the two-hour drive from Orlando to Jacksonville in one piece, sang at the church service, and the weekend was a success―a piece of cake! I floated on home.I was driving down I-95 that Sunday afternoon, listening to the Judds sing their perfect harmonies, when a car cut over into my lane unexpectedly and the driver hit the brakes. I didn't know what to do. With adrenaline now rushing through my system, I instinctively slammed on my brakes, too, and jerked the wheel to avoid hitting the car. My brakes locked up. Before I knew it, I'd lost control of the car. My heart was in my throat as I felt the car begin spinning and spinning in circles. This is it! I thought. Get ready to meet the Lord! I kept waiting for the impact. Then the spinning stopped and the car was on its side, sliding. Any moment now! Be merciful, Lord! It's amazing how long a few seconds can seem when you think they are your last.At long last the car stopped―upside down in a ditch on the side of the road. Three thoughts flashed through my mind in rapid succession:1. I'm still here! I'm alive! Astonished, I drew in slow, deep breaths to be sure.2. Get out of the car―now! Still breathing.3. Dad's gonna kill me! My heart was pounding, but otherwise I was okay. Eventually, I fumbled at the seat belt latch, unbuckled it, and crawled across the roof to get out of the car. Amazingly, I walked away with nothing but scrapes on my hands and knees, most of which occurred getting out of the car. I wouldn't have won any beauty contests that night, but for the moment I was so grateful to be alive, and so glad I'd had that seat belt on.If you've ever been in an accident, you know that the days and weeks that follow are not fun. There are the calls to the insurance company, miles of forms to fill out, and the emotional trauma that always lingers, jarring you from your sleep at night and occupying most of your waking hours as well. Where do you go to find normal again?I worried about what Dad was thinking. After all, he had just bought me that car. The accident occurred two months to the day since I had gotten my driver's license, and it didn't take long to find out my car was completely totaled. But physically, I was fine. 'Karyn, that's all I care about,' Dad said. 'Cars can be replaced. I just want my little girl safe.' I couldn't help feeling guilty about the accident, but in time I believed him. And I don't groan anymore when Dad says, 'Wear your seat belt!' In fact, I'm the drippy faucet begging everyone to wear their seat belts! If I didn't have his voice in my head every time I got into a car, if I hadn't been belted in on that day, there is no way I'd have walked away from that accident unharmed.So many people―especially young people who think they're invincible―act like they're 'too cool' to wear a seat belt. Trust me, when your car is flying through the air or screeching across the highway, you do not have the power to save yourself. If you think you do, you're likely to be dead wrong! Or you're only going a few miles down the road and you think, What could possibly happen? Do you really want to find out? Seat belts were invented for a reason. It only takes a split second for an accident to happen. If you don't take the time to click your seat belt in advance, it will be too late when that second splits in front of your startled eyes.Think of it this way: if you're sitting in a moving car without a seat belt, you should feel as naked as if you weren't wearing clothes. Highways are death traps. Have you ever noticed that most of us are doing other things while driving? No matter how many laws we pass, the roads will always be full of distracted drivers. We're talking on our cell phones, text messaging, reading, eating, or putting on makeup. I'm appalled at recent trends to put DVD players right up front―so the driver can see it, too! What are those manufacturers thinking? When we're driving, more than any other time, we need to focus. We don't need more distractions.Most of what you'll read in the following chapters is about how my dad has taught me to take risks, to go for it, and not let anything stop me from putting myself 'out there,' becoming and remaining a viable force in my generation. While life may be about taking risks to succeed, driving is most certainly not. Don't be foolish! Don't jeopardize your life or the lives of others. If you care about your family at all, if you care about yourself (and you know you do; after all, who's the first person you look at in the mirror every morning?), please, please, please buckle up! If you need a little help remembering, just picture my car upside down in a ditch. ©2009. Pat Williams, Karyn Williams. All rights reserved. Reprinted from The Takeaway. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher: Health Communications, Inc., 3201 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 Read more
J**R
WOW!!!! Lessons for us all--parent and child
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; but it is more than just a book. It is a guide on lessons children learn from there parents, and about how to apply those lessons in life--simple lessons. A Seat Belt--so simple, but it is an excellent example about how little lessons can grow and flourish into strengths later in life, or in this case within a few years of getting a licence. Karyn Williams did a suburb job on this piece, I feel her love of her dad was proven very strong in that, it was the epicenter of the book, but more important it is the epicenter of their relationship. All parents contribute to the growth of their children, and Pat did that--but it both parties have to work on keeping a heartfelt relationship strong and the William's did that--I recommend this book to all who want to see if parenting well pays off--the answer is a big YES.
C**N
Five Stars
what I wanted and on time
A**R
Excellent!
Karyn and Pat Williams have given us a valuable gift...easily readable but spiritually deep and should be required reading for parents and their children. They've shared excellent advice in the form of twenty "Takeaways"...supported by their own life events, some joyful and others painful. A terrific book that I'll be buying for several folks and recommending to many others.
M**E
The Takeaway Is A Must Read
This was an outstanding book, which is a must for all fathers to pass on to their children. Each chapter has a lesson which you can relate to in your every day activities. I got three copies, one for myself and one for my daughter 22 and son 20. They loved it and are applying it to the challenges they meet in their lives as they mature.
S**N
Fathers -- listen up!
Father and daughter tell an engaging story laced with lessons from which every family can learn. Pat Williams is a successful business man and motivational speaker, yet made time to raise 19 children of various cultural backgrounds. Neither fame nor fortune were the elements of success, but rather the relationships, love, values and common sense lessons were the "take aways". Inspite of all the distractions and influences kids experience, if their home provides the right "take aways" they will be able to stay on course and succeed in life. Pat and Karyn share a warm conversation that will inspire you with what really matters in raising children you can be proud of and who can be proud of you.Sheryl DawsonTotal Career SuccessAuthor Job Search: The Total System (3rd Ed)
L**T
Very Inspirational!
I recently reconnected with Karyn who I know personally through friends in Orlando and I saw she had written a book with her father. When I read the title, my first reaction was simply, "I have to have this book." The first reason was because I am a new father and want to learn from other people's experiences and the second reason was to support my friend's project. The book arrived on my doorstep this morning and I took it to work with me and I found myself not being able to put the book down. I read it on breaks at work and just finished it tonight shortly after my daughter was sleeping. The book was full of wonderful advice from both Karyn's perspective and her father's. I truly enjoyed reading about the family dynamics and often found myself relating to some of their experiences. This is a great book for adults and teenagers to read and it comes highly recommended. I hope you will find these lessons as useful as I will when it comes time to have some of the talks and moments Pat was able to share with his daughter. Congrats Pat on yet another great book that I couldn't put down, and Karyn, thanks for sharing your stories as I hope they will inspire others to live life to the fullest.
J**O
Stop What You're Doing.....
Stop what you're doing! You need to read this book. If the title alone doesn't captivate you, the read will. Written by father and daughter "team", Pat and Karyn Williams, this book will take you on a journey that will both inspire you and put a smile on your face.Each chapter is a story that involves a life lesson passed on to Karyn by her dad, a situation where that lesson came into play, and then Dad's take on it. The interplay between the two, and both points of view is truly wonderful. At times outright funny, it is always heart-warming. A page turner that will leave you wishing Pat Williams was your dad, or at least remind you of those "annoying" moments your parents gently instilled a lesson in the most mundane of moments.This book is a testament to the fact that, with a little (or a lot) of attention paid to your child or children, they can actually turn out to be the people we always hoped they would be. Karyn is obviously an intelligent, well read and rounded individual who has learned from her very successful dad how to glean the most from life. In summation: READ THIS! PAY ATTENTION. You'll be VERY glad you did. My congrats to both writers.
B**E
WOW -- THIS IS A MUST READ!!
This book should be required reading for EVERY parent and child. Pat & Karyn Williams have written a timeless collection of some of the most important lessons in life. Raising my children, I often wondered if they were really learning anything from me. Karyn is living proof that our kids ARE watching us and learning from us even when we don't think we're getting through. I have bought a copy of this book for each of my children, and pray that they will take to heart the wisdom Karyn has passed on. The book is written in such a conversational and reader-friendly style that you'll find you won't be able to put it down. Also, if you haven't already, you have GOT to hear the companion song, "Taking You With Me." It is absolutely amazing....and will bring you to tears. The best way to find it is on Karyn's website, [...]
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