Playing Hooky Take time off because you want too, live on your own time. Seize the time, live now. Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again. I took today off because I wanted too. I’m worth it and work is just work. I’ll work better because I took today off. I am the master of my own destiny and can control who I am and what I want to do and be. WOTWU!

UP ALL NIGHT I hardly slept at all last night. I could feel the phone light burn my eyes as I returned to it again and again and again. All I wanted was to look at my phone, not sleep. I will break this habit. For a week, I’m not going to look at my phone after 9 pm. I will read, write, or relax in another way.

EARLY MORNINGS Early mornings and sleepy eyes are a blessing. Getting up and being able to live is a blessing. Sleeping in is nice too and we need it, but the beauty of early morning accomplishment is worth the sleepiness.

Don’t be hasty because you’re afraid to wait. It’s ok not to rush on things you just want to enjoy.

We can chase the past but never catch it. That’s the tragedy of nostalgia. I wish I could live history. I wish I could go to a Cubs game in 1973 and drink Old Style in the bleachers under the sweltering July sun. I wish I could watch Star Wars…

You drank it on sweltering Saturdays after a hard day of work. Not your regular job, but just around the house. You took care of the yard, the house, the car. You taught us things we didn’t know we’d need to know. When the work was done, the grill was lit. The beer was cracked, and we basked in the dusty haze of the July evening heat. Thanks for the good times, Dad.