Things i've learned with age

5 things i've learned with age.

1. Follow your instinct.

2. As i age, the only thing that i really know is that i don't know anything.

3. There are no absolutes.

4. Be careful with judgements- they can kick you in the ass.

5. Save old love letters, reading them 20 years later will show you how far you've come - or haven't.

Autobiography

i think we should all have to write an autobiography in our 40th year. time to evaluate and re-evaluate where we are, what brought us here and where do we want to go. What questions do we ask ourselves.

Question #1 - List 5 defining moments in your life - good or bad.

Mine:

1. When i found out my cousin was killed in a drunk driving accident at age 16. I was a freshman in college and she was a senior in high school. The week before she died she was part of the homecoming court in her school. She was one of my all-time best friends. When we were little we wore the same clothes, had the same doll with the same name, played with make-up constantly and always laughed our asses off. That was in 1986 and its still very surreal to me.

2. When i found out my dad had stage 4 lung cancer. i was 5 months pregnant at the time.

3. and when he died almost a year to the day later. i was very fortunate to have had such a fantastic father and lucky enough to be able to call him one of my best friends as well.

4. When my mom stayed with my dad's body after he had passed and helped the nurses 'lay out' his body. It was an absolutely tremendous action/tribute to a best friend/best love. I hope for that kind of love. i have 2 heroes and am blessed that both of them are my parents.

5. Holding my son for the first time - He was delivered at noon and i didn't get to see or hold him until around 7 in the evening. He looked up at me and bleeted like a baby lamb and looked into my eyes trying to make noises as if to say "where have you been mom? i've been waiting for you!!"

Next question....things i've learned with age

Michael V. O'Malley

If you never met my Dad you missed out. He was an unbelievable man. He passed away from lung cancer (non-smoker) on December 27, 2005. It's been the longest couple of years yet it feels like it was 2 days ago, not 2 years ago. He was one of the best humans on earth - easily. I have a son and i pray that he thinks of me as at least 1/2 the hero i think my dad is. I miss my dad so much. Anyone that was close to him misses him. i include what my sister and i wrote for an insert for his funeral program (see the following) I will never forget my dad's wake and funeral - slow, slow slow motion. vivid memories - riding behind the hearst looking at thinking about how my dad's body was in it. How i wouldn't hear his laugh ever again. walking down the aisle of the church behind his casket thinking about how i couldn't see anyone that was there - i was looking at people and its not registering. i can't think about it anymore right now.

The insert in my dad's funeral program.

Things we learned from Dad

Laugh from your heart
Travel! Go see it all.
COUPONS!! Double coupons and triple coupons!
Rebates…
Hard work gets it done.
Make your children laugh all the time.
Say hi to everyone.
Keep your sense of humor no matter what.
Keep your money facing the same direction,
in denominational order in your wallet.
Only bring what you can lose.
Wash your hands after playing the slots.
Always bring your own quarters/nickels to the casino.
When making a budget, remember vacations.
When making a budget, remember Christmas.
Only share the remote with your favorites.
Your kids can teach you a few things.
Be friends with your kids but be sure to draw the line.
Make sure your kids know when the line has been drawn.
Sing with your headphones on.
Connect with your grandchildren.
In an ice cream store, be sure to sample every flavor before buying.
Save your coupons for double coupon day.
Seize every opportunity given to you and make opportunities when they aren't.
Always keep your family in mind with every decision you make.
Blood is thicker than water.
Do your own research before you buy big.
Always have 6 months salary saved up, just in case.
Duct tape fixes everything.
Be honest.
Be kind.
Care for those less fortunate.
Talk to kids.
Tell your kids you love them.
Think year-round about what gifts to get your family for
birthdays and Christmas.
Have sympathy.
Have empathy.
Always think about how to get food to the homeless.
Dads can always read your mind and tell you what you had for lunch (as long as your eyes were closed and your mom was mouthing the words).
Volunteer.
Always make children laugh.
Make everyone else laugh too.
Make eye contact.
Know how you feel about it – whatever it is.
Save your change.
When making popcorn, only do so in large quantities.
Document everything.
Attend events your child is in – every swim meet, every diving meet, every recital, every art opening, every school (or living room) play and band competitions.
Volunteer with every organization your child is active in.
Dinner is just something you have to do to get to dessert – the ultimate goal.
Show enthusiasm.
Also know how to be dry.
Take naps on the weekends.
Make sure remote batteries are on hand at all times.
Speak to animals like you would anyone else.
Forgive.
Know how to tell a story.
Everything has at least one story that can be told with it.

We Love you, Marigan, Mary Beth, Lou and Paz