The only thing that matters is love. When we live with love - for God, for others and ourselves, that is what makes life worth living.


16



Most times there isn’t a “right decision.” You make a decision and then it’s up to you to *make* it right.


12, 16, 19, 21



“The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw Listen to audio or read together


14



Look into Rustic Pathways to see the world and do some good.


15



1

Teach how to carve a turkey.


15



I’m parenting as in most things, staying calm is more than half the battle. Practice keeping your cool in all situations. No yelling blaming freaking out or meanness. Calm rules the day.


1, 21



Relationships can end beautifully and bravely. They’re not all going to be forever. It’s much better to grieve the end of a relationship than to endure an unhealthy one.


15, 19, 21



Check out Long Lake Summer Camp in NY. Theater, the arts, etc.


12, 13, 14, 15, 16



“Remember Divas and Friends, if you don’t think good things about yourself, how do you expect anybody else to?” - Sheryl Lee Ralph


11, 12. 14. 16, 17, 19, 21



Happiness comes from giving and helping, not buying and having.


14, 19



Anything you deny or fight will fight you back harder. Don’t fight the fear, pain, disappointment, etc. Let it in and let it teach you what it wants to teach you. Then you can part as friends.


15, 21



“Anger is a wonderful catalyst but a terrible companion.” - Brene Brown


15, 21



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


8-14



Take a CPR class together. Emphasize importance of staying certified ( or making a habit of watching an online course every year on the same day, like the day after Thanksgiving or something like that.


17



Be weird. Be happy. Be you. xoxo


12



We don’t snoop. Never read a correspondence (email, letter, text, note, etc.) that is not intended for your eyes, or listen in to a conversation that is not intended for your ears. The right to privacy is sacred. Always respect people’s privacy and set the expectation that others do the same for you.


10



Check out First Stage and Wolftrap performances


15



The thing about behavior is that if you practice you get better. That goes for good behavior and bad behavior. The more you lie, cheat, etc. the better u get. Decide What kind of behavior you want to be good at and then practice practice


7



A wise friend once told me "Don't dump grace down the drain." Respond to nudges: Speak up even if you're afraid, reach out to someone who's hurting, forgive someone (or yourself.) God is so good and so generous...accept his gifts.


15



You’ll be finished with school soon. The most important thing I hope you learned is that there is still so much yet to learn.


21



The opposite of addiction is connection. Genuine connection can take lots of forms.


14, 17, 19, 21



“If you can’t figure something out, figure out how to figure it out.” - Paul Graham


18



Look for examples of people who have dealt with loss without giving in to bitterness. What do they have in common?


17



Stand up (or sit up) straight in photos. Don’t slouch or lean. (You can touch or be close but don’t lean in.)


12, 14, 21



You don’t have to choose to be single forever to enjoy being single for now.


17, 21



Read “Raising a Screen Smart Kid” by Julianna Miner before you consider giving him a phone.


10



“Success is liking who you are, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” - Maya Angelou


13, 15, 21



Start playing Jokers and Marbles. Get it on Amazon or Etsy.


9



Explain what “On my honor” means.


8



“The beginning parts are always the scariest.” -Jackson Daily (kid reporter on Today Show.)


10, 12, 16