December 4, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians,

My dad turns 79 tomorrow and we will gather as a family to have dinner and cake.  I am looking forward to a fun 

evening.  Through many different experiences and for a long time, I have realized I was given special people to be 

my parents.  They have taught, modeled, disciplined, guided, supported, and loved me for 47 years.  I am so 

blessed that I continue to have the opportunity to learn from them.  Here is just a sample of my knowledge gained 

from my parents:

 Make sure your gas tank is at least a quarter filled.

 Have $20 in your wallet.

 If you lock your keys in the car, don’t break a window.  Ask for help.

 It is ok to have a quiet space.

 Your miss at the end of the basketball game didn’t cause the lost for your team.  There were at least 30 

shots during the game that you and your teammates could have made to give your team the victory.

 Your tone in your voice matters.

 There are so many other words in the English language you can use instead of those curse words.

 Actions speak louder than words.

 Most friends will come and go, but family is forever.

 Giving to others is important.

 Your character will be with you for the rest of your life.

 If you didn’t cook the dinner, get up and help with the clean-up.

 Once you give your word on something, you follow through.

 If you are on time, you are late.

 In a relationship, don’t go to bed angry at each other.

 Make sure you laugh throughout your day.

 Bring donuts to camp if you arrive before 10:00 a.m.

I have this saying in my office that reads:

Live so that 

Well, Mom and Dad, all I can say is, “Well done, you earned them all!”  Happy Birthday, Dad, and Mom, you are 

the glue that holds us all together.

To my DES families, I know that many of you are passing along this same knowledge to your children.  Keep up the 

amazing work!

Have a great weekend