Famous Last Words...

On Thursday we will drive to North Carolina to take our firstborn to college. The past few days have been busy and exciting and nerve-wracking, but we've finally got the cars loaded and will roll out early. Since Scott can have a car and will be 3 hours away, we're letting him take his car, and Steve decided to let me ride with Scott. I'm sure that decision had something to do with the fact that I'm his mama and would want to spend every possible minute with him... and also his assumption that I would have plenty of last-minute advice to impart... and no hesitation WHATSOEVER to impart it... where do these people get these ideas??? ;)

For at least 10 years we have had a framed print at the top of the stairs titled "21 Suggestions for Success" by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. It's good common sense advice, and I (stupidly) assumed that Scott had read them. After all, Sarah could practically recite them in order, but her brother... well, let's just say that when Sarah and I heard him confess that he'd never read them, we looked at him like two confused puppies. And little sis unloaded her contemptuous "REALLY?? Are you KIDDING me????"

So... in honor of my son, who for the last ten years has been too distracted to read the wisdom found on this PROMINENTLY placed list, here it is. With one of mine thrown in for good measure ;)

21 Suggestions For Success
By H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
2. Work at something you enjoy and that’s worthy of your time and talent.
3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.
6. Be generous.
7. Have a grateful heart.
8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.
9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
10. Treat everyone you meet the way you want to be treated.
11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
12. Commit yourself to quality.
13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.
14. Be loyal.
15. Be honest.
16. Be a self-starter.
17. Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes be wrong.
18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
19. Be hold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.
20. Take good care of those you love.
21. Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your Mom proud.

And one more from Suz… remember:
The most dangerous place you’ll ever be is outside the will of God.

Scott, I love you. You have made us VERY proud.