Read maps.


9-14



Practice being okay with someone misunderstanding you. Not everyone is going to “get” you. That’s okay.


14, 19, 21



Go as a family to local high school musical productions.


9-13



1

Focus on the lesson not the pain.


14, 21



None of us should ever have to apologize for being who we are.


10, 14, 21



Stuff will happen and you’ll think “I can’t get through this. I can’t go on.” In the moment it really feels that way. But ...You will survive. You’ll find a way. Never give up on yourself. I never will.


17



The better you eat, the better you feel. (And look.) if you eat like sh*t you’re going to feel like sh*t. Eat your vegetables! xoxo


17, 21



Bring Christmas cookies to local fire station and police station. (Annually)


7-14



Read “Lighter” by Yung Pueblo. Read it every year.


17, 19, 21



Read at least one biography every semester. between winners and losers read about the failures read about the great men and women read about historical figures American icon stage and film to battlefields to business read all about how great men and women made themselves great and learn from them here are a few to start Ted Kennedy he gets north star am Kristin Chenoweth Tina Fey I’m reading one now on call baker from the Bush administration Barack Obama Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan Kennedy Roosevelt all those guys as well as Michelle Obama Jackie Kennedy all of those. Draft


19



Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith.


19



"Love is nothing more and nothing less than relentlessly showing up for your people." - Glennon Doyle


18-21



Read If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin. Young adult coming of age story.


14, 17



American Sign Language course


15



It’s fine, great, to be thrifty. But please don’t be cheap. Hard-earned money should neither be squandered or hoarded. Enjoy your success! But save more than you’re comfortable with. It’s like my running coach used to say: Keep going until you feel like you’re gonna poop your pants, then push yourself to do another mile. Point is, it should hurt a little.


16, 21



Watch Ken Burns’ “The US and the holocaust.”


17



Practice sitting and standing "like a statue" to teach them how to be still. Start with a goal of 5 or 10 seconds, gradually move to 2 minutes. Same thing for "silent game" to teach them how to stay quiet when they need to. Bribery helps teaching this concept!


3-4



I don’t remember much about my grandmother (Marie) but I recall her hands. Her ring fingers had a funny curve to them, bowed in a little at the top. My ring fingers do the same thing. I think of her every time I notice it.


19



Never consent to a search. Ask if it’s required. If not, no search. If yes, ask for your lawyer.


17, 21



If someone wants to leave you, let them. Don’t waste your energy trying to prove your worth to anyone.


14, 19, 21



Watch the western “1883”.


13



I’m cool with “C”s. Do good work but don’t put too much pressure yourself.


14



“Distraction is the death of art. But boredom is the birth place of it.” (Forgot who said this)


12, 15, 21



Worry less about molding them and focus on loving them.


2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21



Honestly I think all religions are at least fifty percent bull pucky and none of them come close to reflecting the loving nature of God, which is broader and deeper than our little brains can grasp. So pick your poison. Whatever religion feels like home, like a place that can provide context for you to explore the goodness and beauty at the heart of the universe…that’s the religion for you. And if no religion fits the bill, that’s fine too. Either way, always remember and keep coming back to the knowledge that you are so very loved.


16, 21



Give yourself a break from thinking about yourself.


13, 16, 21



Don’t worry if they’re not listening to what you say...They watch what you do. They study it.


13



Kitchen knife skills. Know how to properly and safely cut, slice, chop, dice, carve, etc.


15, 21



Be generous in all things. That is my hope for you.


14, 18, 21



1

Help him write a letter to someone in power if he has a question or concern about something he sees going on in the world.


7-11