Ordinary Things

Dear Emma, 

You don't live an extraordinary life by doing ordinary things. 

Love, Dad

Pack. Write. Connect. 

don't

Dear Emma, 

There are going to be times you'll want to give up. Don't. 

Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

We Get Up

We fall down but we get up, for a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up. 

Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

False Identities

I am what I do. 
I am what I have. 
I am what other people say about me. 

Don't believe in false identities. 

Be yourself. 
Be who God made you. 

Love, Dad

You will never be happy...

Dear Emma, 
You will never be happy if you constantly worry about what others think about you. Be yourself! 
Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Time Flies

Dear Emma, 

Time flies. Be the pilot. 

Love, Dad

Pack. Write. Connect.

Life is getting up an hour early

Dear Emma, 
Life is getting up an hour early to live an hour more. Make the most of your hour. 
Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Backstory - Emma has been going to school an hour early since 9th grade. She takes an early-bird art class. She sacrifices an hour of sleep in order to create. I am so proud of her. 

Last Cup

Dear Emma, I love you so much I'd let you have the last cup of coffee. 

Love, Dad

Pack. Write. Connect.

Pass it on!

Dear Emma, 

You are awesome. Pass it on!

Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect.

Future Self

Dear Emma, 
Your future self is watching you through memories right now. Be awesome and make it something worth watching. 
Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Don't let the fear

Dear Emma, 
Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from swinging. 
Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

You are your most...

Dear Emma, 

You are your most important relationship. 

Love, Dad

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Suddenly you are doing the impossible

Dear Emma, 

Start by doing what is necessary, then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. ~St Francis of Assisi

Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Do what's possible.

Dear Emma, 

Start by doing what is necessary. (From yesterday.) Then, do what's possible. 

Love, Dad

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Start by doing what is necessary

Dear Emma, 
I know you have a lot on your plate. Start by doing what is necessary. 
Love, Dad 

PS - More to follow tomorrow 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Do more of it

Dear Emma, 
You know that stuff that makes you awesome? Do more of it. 
Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Create Something

Dear Emma, 
Create something today. 
Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

The Blind Side

Dear Emma, 
I can only hope you continue to learn the joy of giving! Love, Dad 

"You're changing that boy's life." 
"No, he's changing mine." - Leigh Anne Touhy, The Blind Side

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Don't Let The Little Things

Dear Emma,

Don't let the little things distract you from the important things.

Love, Dad

PS - It's mostly little things.

Pack. Write. Connect.

Shadow

Dear Emma, 
Don't stand in someone else's shadow. Step out and feel the sunshine. 
Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect.