There’s nothing that cannot be done
with kindness.
Life is a very fun adventure.
When it comes to trust or distrust,
err on the side of trust.
You may get burned (and Dad did get
burned) and getting burned will hurt.
And your own integrity will remain
intact.
We are here for each other.
When you’re in a new place, go for a
run & check it all out.
Dad ran through the streets of
London, Rome, Jerusalem, D.C., Chicago, and various other cities.
He always came home with stories to
tell of what he saw.
No matter how many divorces you have
had, your are still worthy of love.
Always think with
your heart.
Everyone… adult or child, female or
male, gay or straight, Christian or atheist, Jew or Palestinian… is deserving
of love and respect.
Dad never lorded over us, as
children.
We were raised with things being
patiently explained.
We were given the ongoing message
that it was important for us to understand the whys.
Let your face light up when you’re
happy.
Fall in love with
everyone you meet.
There is an ideal way to navigate
your car.
Dad knew the best way to get
anywhere in Portland, and if you were driving him, he felt it was his duty to
inform you that you were going an inferior way.
Blow out your birthday candles with
gusto.
Deal with life as it comes, and adapt
to it gracefully.
If you happen to be moving a house
across town in the middle of the night, and the electric wires are in the way,
find a way to lower the roof.
Laugh a lot… especially at yourself.
Take care of your stuff, starting
with your body.
It’s your greatest commodity.
Never let anything go to waste,
whether it’s leftovers, your intellect, or a perfectly good used napkin.
If someone feeds you, always
appreciate it with a lot of ooohs and ohhhs.
God is bigger than our mind’s
definitions.
Just when we think we have God
figured out, it may be the time to start asking hard questions.
Dad never liked to assume he knew
the vast mind or will of God.
And he never stopped asking his
questions.
Months before he died, he would say
he was ready to go.
His body didn’t work well anymore.
Then one evening about 3 weeks
before he died, he said to me, “Maybe it’s arrogant to think I’m ready to die.
How do I know I’m ready?
I’ve never done it.”
And when Dad said that, I felt like
he must be getting ready.
Work really hard. Play really hard.
Any night is good for a party.
You can get anywhere in the Portland
area by bike.
Always make music. Sing and dance
all your life.
Take up a new instrument at any age.
Dad learned the guitar at 84.
He would join my drum circles when
he visited me in Boise.
Dad’s trombone was like another
limb.
One time, Dad, Poco and I walked to
a live showing of Mama Mia, singing Abba songs the whole way there and the
whole way home.
Words are sacred and always to be
spoken with kindness.
Bask in the sun regularly.
Aging is an inspired act of allowing new generations to
continue to shape & form you.
Be open, flexible, changeable. (Play
Dad’s cell phone ringtone).
A game is serious business,
especially if it’s bridge.
Listen carefully when someone
shares, and don’t talk over people.
Your personal politics and religious
beliefs should reflect how you would
want to be treated if you were under-privileged or a minority.
One of Dad’s most pivotal life
experiences was going to Palestine with Mercy Corps in the 80s.
He experienced, first-hand, life in
the Gaza Strip & the results of the Intifada.
It changed him and he has talked
about it ever since.
When someone opens their heart to
you, answer them with yours.
If a show is sold out, never you
mind.
Wait at the box office until there’s
a cancellation.
You just may end up with the best
seats in the house.
Do what you say you’re going to do.
Shave your face in the brightest
light.
Even if that means you store your
razor & mirror in the kitchen.
If you believe in something, get
everyone to join you.
Several of us here walked in the
Northwest Pilot Project’s annual walkathon.
And if you couldn’t walk, you were
likely a sponsor.
Meet life as it comes.
Shake hands with it, welcome it, and
make the best of everything.
Even if it’s death.
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