Dear Max,

Have I told you how much I love ice cream? That glorious, tasty treat is one that’s always hard for me to pass up.

Little things like ice cream are needed in life to keep us smiling. Here’s the things that make me smile about ice cream:

• Eating ice cream while it’s snowing
• Eating ice cream before dinner
• Strolling through downtown Plymouth while eating ice cream
• 2 spoons + 1 cup = ice cream dates
• Mom’s homemade ice cream, especially at Christmas
• Having 30 flavors and choosing vanilla
• Malts
• Remembering walks to the corner ice cream shop with my Grandpa Frank
• Ice cream for breakfast
• Feeding the bottom end of the cone to a puppy
• Hearing the ice cream truck drive through the neighborhood
• Ice cream socials
• That first lick
• The brain freeze you get when you eat it too quickly because it’s that good
• Wondering what those little sleeves around the bottom of the cone are supposed to do and how much money someone has made by making them
• The toppings
• Frosty’s – thank you Dave Thomas!
• Ice cream sandwiches
• 2 for 1 sales at the store
• Running to the store to buy Ben and Jerry’s at midnight with friends

What some of the little things that you can smile about?

Love,

Daddy

Dear Max, 

There is more than one way to do everything in this world. Just because one person has a way of doing things does not mean that it’s the gold standard. It works for them but it may not work for you. 

Certain people will tell you “we’ve always done it that way.” Don’t settle for that. Find a better, more effective way. Then refine it and grow.

Those that settle for doing everything the same, never learn. You should always strive to find a better way. That entrepreneurial spirit is what will lead to success in everything you do.

Love,

Dad

Dear Max,

A rather large majority of people would say that if they just made a few bucks more a week their life would be better. But, is that true? it depends on who you’re talking to.

I firmly believe that the best things in life are free. The saying may be old but the sentiment is true. Being loved. Friendship. The wind blowing through your hair. Faith. Song. All are free and help make us whole.

Does the biggest home on the block make you a better person? Not at all. Some of the most amazing people I have ever known are happy in the same house the majority of their adult life. It’s not to say we aren’t motivated by money, because we are in many instances. Money definitely helps, but it’s not everything.

Money only gets us so far. True happiness makes us whole.

Love,

Daddy

Muhammad Ali

Dear Max,

My Dad and I watched a ton of boxing growing up. We watched prize fights with now legends Iron Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Riddick Bowe, Evander Holyfield and Oscar De La Hoya. I loved watching boxing with him because we got to stay up late and Dad was fun to watch TV with. He’d yell at the TV. Eat more Better Made potato chips than we knew what to do with. Call a friend on the phone and say “Did you see that?” or “I can’t believe Tyson just bit Holyfield’s ear off.” It was pure fun.

I learned a lot about boxing and former fighters in the craft. One such boxer is Cassius Clay, better known as Muhammad Ali. He once said,

Don’t count the days, make the days count.  – Muhammad Ali

These few words have stuck with me. So often we build countdowns to random days because of one event. What about all of the days in between? Do they not matter. Is it just wasted time until something else comes along? Absolutely not.

What will you do to make today count? I’m doing it right now, for you.

Love,

Dad

Dear Max,

A lot of times we put things off in life because we think we aren’t prepared enough. But, no matter what you do you will never be prepared enough. There is always something else you can learn or further develop.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. – Mark Twain

When Mark Twain penned these words he was on to something. Getting started will put you ahead of all those who are waiting for a little more knowledge or a little more money. You have everything you need to move forward. Get started and learn along the way. Chances are, you’ll have to adjust your strategy anyway.

Love,

Dad

Dear Max,

Starting with Generation Z – that’s you – a curse will sweep across the nation. It’s what I call “the social shadow.” This is a curse that will be near impossible to get rid of. As young people today grow up, they will be using social media from the youngest of ages.

The things that you post on social media while you’re 13 will be very different from how you feel when you’re 23 or 33. Everything you post – pictures, video, words – will be available to anyone who explores. The content that you create has the potential to put a curse on your future life.

People will know everything about all of the facets of your life. Employers will judge you more harshly. Acquaintances will know you more intimately. Opportunities could be lost by just a few ancient posts.

Think about this while going through life. Does everything need to be posted on social media?

Love,

Dad

Dear Max,

As you move forward down your path in life you will have many opportunities to leave feelings with people. Everyone you touch will make a judgment about you. Whether you are friends with someone for 5 years or talk to them for 5 minutes, they will remember one thing – how you made them feel.

That’s right. Nobody cares exactly what you say or do. It’s about a deeper human experience. This is why you need to think about more than words when communicating. Body language, voice inflection and pure attention to detail speaks loudest. If you are sincere and simple you’ll leave a lasting positive feeling.

When you are doing something very important to you, know how you want to leave them feeling before you decide how to approach the situation. When you go into a job interview, you want to leave them feeling that nobody can do the job better than you. When you pitch a client, you want to leave them feeling like you are the only one that understands their business. And, when you meet someone for the first time you want to leave them with the feeling that they want to get to know you more.

Their feeling is the only impression they will hold onto. People will forget everything else.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Max,

Think about all of the people you admire. They use the same amount of hours in the day to get things done as you do. They put their pants on one leg at a time just as you do. They have to eat, sleep and they have other responsibilities too.

You have just as many hours in the day as Beyoncé to make an impact.

How will you use your day?

Love,

Dad

Dear Max,

Family is one of the most important things in life. Without your family, you have nothing. This has never been more evident to me than right this very moment.

Love,
Daddy

Dear Max,

Life works in cycles. You will come to find a number of things you love to do in life. As they say, all good things must come to an end.

When I was in high school I had to say goodbye to baseball. Did I want to? No. Was it necessary? Yes. I wanted to fully dedicate myself to music and didn’t have the time to do both.

As I get older the necessary endings come to be more difficult. When you came into our life, everything, outside of working to provide for you and mom, was a necessary ending. Do I miss those things? Yes, very much. Do I regret it? Never.

Necessary endings come from a re-prioritization of what you want most in life. We are all able to do so many things but we must choose what’s most important at the moment, what’s healthy and what’s necessary.

You are necessary. You are my life.

Love, Daddy