by Marijane Suttor

Created on: June 03, 2009   Last Updated: October 21, 2011

Showing Up for Life: Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime written by Bill Gates Sr. with Mary Ann Mackin, is an inspirational look at how to conduct a person's life by the famous Bill Gates's father. How many parents probably wonder how to raise a son like Bill Gates? In this book Bill Gates Sr. reflects on life and the lessons on how to approach many of the dilemmas that face people every day, along with some great pieces of advice and a little trivia about his famous son.

It is quickly observed that Bill Gates, uniquely nicknamed Trey by his parents because he was Bill Gates III, had very special parents. They led mostly by example to their children on how to conduct their lives.

The title of the book Showing Up for Life ties to the excerpts on pages 5 and 40. An important lesson that Bill Gates Sr. learned and expressed in the book is that a person needs to show up. He expresses how his own parents always showed up for people in need, community activities, and volunteering. It set an impression in Bill Gates Sr. that one of the keys to success is being there and showing up. Whatever the task at hand or whatever the commitment that is made, it is important to follow through with what has been agreed upon. On page 50, Gates applies this rule to family. It is important to show up for family. They need to know that family will be with them through good times and tough times too.

What impresses me about this concept of showing up is that it could have a completely different connotation. Showing up reminds a person of showing off, of presenting oneself and better than others. The reader certainly is given the impression from this book that showing off is not part of this family's lexicon. The biblical quote, "For unto whom much is given, of him shall be much required" was read by Mary Gates at her son's wedding to Melinda. It ties in again with the theme about showing up.

This book continues to follow the theme of how showing up gives people opportunities and opens doors. The sense is that every time a person doesn't show up, it is a failed opportunity. Bill Gates Sr. leaves his readers inspired to do better and to become fully invested in life.

This book is highly recommended for new parents. There are so many great pieces of advice that will go a long way to parent well. This book is an enduring example of this. This would also be a fantastic present for a high school or college graduate just lighting out in the world. It is true. So much of the opportunity for success will involve showing up for the next generation. This would also be a great book for teachers who will also be key in shaping the lives of future generations. It is a book that is well-worth the purchase. Highlight it and add a sticky note on the pages to look back on later. It is a great book for a bedtime table. Easily a person can pick up the book at night and read a section as the chapters are frequently only a couple pages.

A lot can be said for the foreword that Bill Gates wrote for his father's book. "Dad, the next time somebody asks you if you're the real Bill Gates, I hope you say 'Yes.' I hope you tell them that you're all things the other strives to be" By this modest and simple introduction, one can tell that Bill Gates Sr. succeeded through all of his years of showing up. It is a book about Bill Gates Sr.'s thoughts on the gifts of a lifetime. It is a gift to its readers.

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