When they confide in you or tell you something that makes them so vulnerable u don’t know what to tell them, just sat “I’m so glad you told me.” (You’re not alone, I heard you, I’m here and will stay with you until it’s resolved.) re-ticket yearly.


9



“Tell me the story of your day.” (Works better than “how was your day?”


5, 6, 10



Throw some love at a problem.


12, 15, 21



YouTube Hank Green “Study Hall.” It talks about navigating the mess of college and career choices, like choosing a major (and what a major is!) What interests align with which majors, etc.


12, 15, 16



Checkout Bedtime Math app. It’s a tool to make math fun.


5



There’s a lot of virtue to the “Let them” theory of parenting. It’s their life. Drop out of school? Not what I would want, but as long as I’ve had my say, the decision is theirs to make. The mess will be theirs too, but that’s just life. Stop trying to control everyone and everything. Give yourself and everyone else a break and as long as it’s nothing harmful, let them. Don’t try to bend them to your will, and keep your opinions to yourself.


12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18



Some things just don’t come easy. That’s the point. Practice working for what you want. Nothing is sweeter than when you accomplish something you set out to do. Go for it!


11, 14, 17, 21



“Dress braver than you feel. Act braver than you feel.” - Ray


17



I wish I had heard this in my 20’s. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRtFBvGr/


20



When he comes to you and tells you he’s in trouble, stay calm. Ask “How can I help you?” Figure it out together. No matter how old he is, he needs to know you’re on his side. There will be time for lessons and consequences, etc. But first, help.


7, 12, 15, 21



Check out the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. A short but deeply meaningful immersion into service, faith in action, selflessness and living on a lot less than you think you need.


19



Letting go isn’t something active. Rather, it’s something you stop doing. Stop hoping. Stop fooling yourself. Stop wishing things were different.


17, 21



Watch documentary The Rescue together.


15



When they’re upset just ask what they need: space, distraction, or talk about it.


12



Sometimes it’s easier to describe what a thing is *not* than to describe what it is.


14, 21



Grandpa never wore a watch. (This was way before cell phones existed.) Still, he always knew what time it was, and he was never, ever late.


14



Don’t quit your job until you have another job. Suck it up and make the best out of it.


21



Be thankful for opportunities to be of service. It means God is trusting you to help.


8-14



Compete for the last meatball at Sunday dinner: Biggest burp, telling the best story, finished vegetables first, etc.


5



Cut people some slack, everyone is entitled to a bad day.


17-20



You should feel safe with friends. They shouldn’t try to get you hurt or in trouble. Anyone who makes you feel unsafe is not your friend.


8-15



Always know where the main water shut-off is in your house.


18



Look into language school. Now is a good time to start learning Chinese, Spanish or Arabic.


5-8



Remember Mom's birthday


2-21



From our beautiful Grandma Marie: Go easy on the makeup, get serious about skincare. Don’t skimp, use good-quality products on your face and neck. And remember SUNSCREEN on face, neck and hands every day!


16



Whether they’re young or old, try not to under-estimate people. Most people will impress the heck out of you.


15



Encourage others!!!


13



Everything not saved will be lost. This is true for documents in Word and in life.


16



Start a tradition of setting goals for Ne Year. Keep a notebook in with the Christmas ornaments and each year we all add in whatever we want to focus on: such as our resolutions, goals, hope or plans, etc. That will be something fun to do at the end of the year when we’re taking down the tree and putting away all the holiday stuff.


8



Book “8 Candles and a Tree” about celebrating interfaith holidays.


7