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



“You’ll never be alone when you carry a poet in your pocket.” - John Adams Bring a book with you wherever you go.


12, 19



I stopped worrying about you by the time you were seven. (I’m not talking about your safety and health, that I’ll always worry about!) But I knew you were a joyful, generous, kind, smart and well-mannered person. You were a great friend, supportive and fun. You would be a good partner, and would contribute so much good to society. I could see you had a curious mind, an active imagination and more than a healthy dose of courage.


15, 21



If you don’t have the words, borrow them. Send a song or a poem. As long as the sentiment is yours, the vowels and consonants don’t need to be.


13, 16. 21



Check out the Wolf Trap Children's summer theater.


4-11



Sometimes rejection is God’s protection. If u worked hard and gave it your all and still missed the bus, that bus wasn’t yours. Read The Artist’s Way.


17



Plan a trip to New York City to see Hamilton.


15



A simple trick to calm your nerves: Name 5 things you can hear right now.


5-15



1

Paint rocks with pictures or kind messages and find public places to leave them where they can hide in plain site. See RockOurWorldArt.


8-11



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



1

You don’t have to have everything you want. Practice saying “no thank you” to dessert or passing on the purchase you’re considering. Benefits are plentiful: Build self-discipline (which is like a muscle) and you learn you’re really ok and often happier when you don’t indulge a “want.”


13, 15, 21



The person who lives in the body gets to say who touches that body.


5



Your brain seeks novelty. Try new things as long as you live. Take risks (but not safety risks!)


20



“You can miss a person every day and still be glad that they’re no longer in your life.” — Oprah Winfrey


19



A person is only as good as how they treat you when they are angry with you.


17



It’s very easy to wander into trouble- not usually easy to wander out of it.


12



Attend a Pride parade.


9



Throw leftovers and some cut up veggies in an omelette/ frittata. Cuts down on food waste and saves money.


17



You can’t ask someone to change who they are before you live or accept them.


12, 15, 21



Gambling is designed to be seductive- Everything about casinos and online gambling sites is about getting you to hand over your cash. It’s a scam. Don’t fall for it!


15, 18



Pray for the courage to be yourself.


10, 13, 15, 17, 21



Model good nutrition and fitness routine.


4



You’ve been entrusted with so much. Think about how much of an honor that is, and how big a responsibility.


16, 18, 21



Be teachable. If you walk around thinking you know it all, your career and relationships will suffer. Consider how much you have to learn and welcome any opportunity to learn. “Teach me” instead of “I don’t know.”


16



Never open someone else's mail, or listen to their conversation, etc. If it's not your business to know, don't snoop.


14-21



If you ever borrow someone’s car, return it with a full tank of gas.


20



Read J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit together


11



Don’t go to sleep on a full stomach.


10, 15, 17, 19



If you don’t know where to begin, picture where you want it to end, and work it backwards.


15, 21