When Someone’s Smarts Left People Shocked or Uneasy.

1 # How My 13-Year-Old Dad Became the Town’s Youngest Mechanic.

My dad, who would have turned 102 this year, grew up on a farm. One day, a neighbor called my grandparents, saying he’d heard my dad was the best mechanic and asking if he could borrow him. When 13-year-old Dad showed up, the man was shocked to see someone so young. Without missing a beat, my dad asked, “Do you want your tractor fixed or not?” He got the job done, collected his payment, and left—leaving everyone amazed at his skill and confidence.