life according to Dad.

in sound bytes + song lyrics—

— slow down. don't be in such a rush to make a mistake.

— pay attention; watch where you are going.

— music is Life.

— if it's too loud, you're too old.

— it's hip to be square.

— trying to be popular is dumb.

— you don't have to quit. just try.

— you can't always get what you want. but if you try sometimes, you just might find— you get what you need.

— you can never go wrong by doing the right thing.

— do what you can, when you can.

— Love is all you need.

— take all of the overtime you can get.

— don't do a 1/2-assed job— for you or the guy who comes in after you.

— when i die and they lay me to rest, ‘going up to the place that's the best.

— just because the show is over, doesn't mean the job is over. in fact, that's when the real work begins.

— with enough time and money, you can do anything. but with enough money, you can make the time-problem go away.

— learn how to laugh at yourself.

— everything is a project.

— think about what you are saying; think about the meaning of your words.

— does anybody really know what time it is? does anybody really care? about time?

— it's okay to cry. it's okay to laugh. and it's okay to change your mind.

— just walk in and act like you own the place.

— you get to choose.

— trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. in all of your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.

Dad also taught me how to put the emphāsis on the wrong syllāble. and paint boring words into whimsy, like "garbaaaaage" and "yes dear,” (in his best nasally whine).

Dad taught me how to code with numbers. and how to make sense of it all when the music makes colors and the colors make music.

my Dad taught me how to be okay in my skin even though i just don't fit in.

but somehow—

i always fit in with him.

and i think ^that's it, my sweet friends—

why Dad was so irreverently fabulous and perfectly unforgettable.

Dad didn't need any of us to BE anything for him.

Dad let us each be who we simply be'd.

his cup was already full from The Source.

so he was FREE to Love and be Loved on the simplest of terms.

and, that, sweet friends—

is wealth and legend and icon and Jesus.

rock. on. Dad.