Touching! Haven't we all done dumb things while growing up, thinking we knew better? I remember the silly things I'd done and shake my head at myself, thankful that patental love overlooked them.
With age sometimes comes maturity but not everyone realizes when and how they have gone wrong. You have and that makes it all better.
Like Tecumseh rightly said, be thankful that you had your dad as a father and a role model. Be thankful that you are a reflection of him now; his legacy lives on in you, your thoughts and deeds. 🙂