Happy Father's Day

Today is Father's Day.  My father has been gone from this earth for 21 years now and to say I miss him is an understatement.

He had a quiet, gentle way about him that made everyone at ease.  He loved to smile, to laugh, to joke around and have fun.  He worked hard, but played harder.

My daddy  taught me these lessons of life that I will never, ever forget and try to live by each day:

• Family is the most important thing in this world. Do whatever it takes to keep the bonds strong.
• Work Hard. Be responsible, get your work done first.. then play.
• Love.  Pure and simple.
• Make it count...whatever you do, wherever you go, make the moment count so that you don't have any regrets in life.
• Treat others with kindness and respect and you'll get it back tenfold.
•  Give second chances to those deserving of it but don't give third chances.
•  If you're going to say something negative about someone, make sure you have your fact straight.  Don't judge, don't gossip.  It's someones life your messing with.  Everyone is fighting their own battle and they don't need you to add to their burdens.
• Even when life is lived simply, you're rich.  It's the small things in life that count the most. 
• It's never too late to learn new things.  My daddy learned to paint (self taught) when he was in his late 40's, wood carved, and played the banjo in his 50's. 

My Daddy, the greatest man I ever knew!  Love you Dad!