20 things I want you to know

At the mark of being a dad for 20 years and pondering the fact that my eldest has entered the eve of adulthood, I can’t help but think of the 20 things that I want him to know at this stage in his life that I’ve taught by word and/or example through the years.

  1. always get there early
  2. show people who you are
  3. ask too many questions
  4. talk to God daily
  5. frame big decisions with, “Will this matter next year? In five years?”
  6. sometimes, baby steps
  7. it’s okay to not have all the answers
  8. forgive
  9. take responsibility for your words, actions and the outcome they affect
  10. show up
  11. crying with someone is better than healing alone
  12. treat her like a queen, even if she isn’t
  13. choose life everyday
  14. however good or bad the situation is, it will always change
  15. be a light
  16. over prepare, then go with the flow
  17. God loves you because of who God is,
    not because of anything that you’ve done or didn’t do
  18. don’t apologize for who you are
  19. save some
  20. life doesn’t come in fancy wrapping, but it’s still a gift