Dear Max

Dear Max,

I was saving this for when you got older, but then I realized I had nothing to lose by sharing with you what I have so far. Mom doesn’t even know this but about a week before you were born I started writing a list of observations, beliefs and in some cases personal experiences that in time, you will either call upon as counsel, disagree with or experience for your self. The sources vary as much as the topics. Some of the below I’ve read, some have be shared with me by your Nono pictured with you and me above and some conclusions I’ve reached on my own. I’ll keep adding to the list, but this is what I have so far…

1. Family comes first.
2. Even though family comes first, they can be a pain in the butt.
3. You can pick your friends but you can’t pick your family…pick wisely.
4. Food is one of the pure, unadulterated joys in life.
5. Women love a man who can cook.
6. Always respect and love your mother. You’ll never understand how much she and I love you until you have your own children.
7. The Yankees, the Giants and the Knicks.
8. You’ll learn more about a person by listening to them for 1 minute then you will by talking to them for 10 minutes.
9. People love to hear themselves talk.
10. Learn as much about your heritage as you can; it is a tremendous part of what makes you you.
11. Buy a house/apartment/condo as soon as you are able.
12. It is OK to be scared.
13. It is OK to admit you are scared.
14. It is NOT OK to avoid your fears…they will only get worse if you do.
15. Whether you think you can or you can’t…you are right.
16. Sooner or later the other guy will blink.
17. Confidence can compensate for talent.
18. Arrogance can undermine talent.
19. Save early and often.
20. Don’t mortgage the future for a lifestyle today.
21. Things don’t bring you happiness.
22. You can’t be happy with someone else until you are happy with yourself.
23. Don’t take your health for granted.
24. Get a check-up every year.
25. With all people, no matter what the interaction, always exceed expectations.
26. You have to believe in yourself before others will believe in you.
27. Respect is earned.
28. First impressions are almost always right.
29. People judge you by what you wear and how you speak.
30. It is always better to be overdressed rather than underdressed.
31. Get in first, leave last.
32. Exercise is an excellent confidence booster.
33. Things are never as good or as bad as you think they are.
34. No matter what you do, do it with the highest degree of integrity.
35. The past is done and the future will come but today is malleable.
36. If you’re going to pull weeds, make sure you get the roots.
37. Don’t EVER put sugar in your tomato sauce.
38. Hold the door open for women.
39. Anyone older than you should always be addressed as Mr. or Mrs. unless they tell you otherwise.
40. Watch the ball not his feet.
41. If you haven’t failed at something you aren’t trying hard enough.
42. To make octopus tender you need to cook it with a wine cork.
43. Never burn bridges.
44. Learn to trust your instincts.
45. Never pay for the extended warranty.
46. The best time to buy a new car is in September.
47. Never buy a new car.
48. Yes, you can shave against your beard.
49. If someone overly flatters you without them really knowing you, don’t trust them.
50. Learn a second language, only Americans are too self absorbed to only know English.
51. Travel as much as you are able to.
52. Respect the customs of the country you are in.
53. If you don’t ask her, you’ll never know.
54. No, I didn’t have the internet growing up.
55. Yes, I know that makes me old.
56. Flirting can get you more than dates.
57. Don’t go to a gun fight with a knife.
58. Do what you love; the rest will take care of itself.
59. It is as important to know your weaknesses as your strengths.
60. Live for today but plan for tomorrow.
61. You will learn to love foie gras.
62. Be wiser than other people, but never let them know.
63. One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.

Love,

Dad


6 days left