I woke at 4 AM the day before my dad’s funeral.  My brain was working on overdrive…everything we still had to get done, remembering my last visit just weeks ago, and memories of growing up.  (Anyone who has been to my dad & M’s house knows that every wall is decorated with pictures and keepsakes that draw you back to that point in time.)  I sat on the bathroom floor, lights off and door closed so I didn’t wake my sister, tapping away my thoughts on my iPad Mini with the DayOne app. 
My dad lived his life according to lessons passed on by my grandparents and his time in the military. 

  • Don’t spend money you don’t have–save & diversify.  
  • For things that you need, buy good quality so they will last. Don’t buy things just for the ‘brand’ value.  
  • Travel and absorb the world around you.  It will make you a more well-rounded person.
  • Read books for fun and to learn about subjects you knew nothing about. 
  • Keep your word.  Your reputation is key to your success.
  • Decide what you want to be and give 100% into doing the best job possible.

No matter how much we disagreed about politics, he always debated me fairly if I knew my subject well.  He never dismissed a reasoned opinion.