Dear Hannah,

My life is but an instrument

Singing songs in many keys

Wisdom earned through lessons learned

From mistakes of several degrees

Do not mistake activity for achievement

Arriving on time means you're late

To be on time arrive early

Fall seven times - get up eight

One time is an accident

Two times is a trend

Three times might be a problem

But forgiveness is your friend

The race is not to the swift

But to the ones who maintain

So stay aligned on your grind

And stay in your own lane

Keep it slow and steady

That's it - nice and smoove

Always do your homework

Believe that God will approve

Every moment matters

You had better realize

Then you can quickly respond

To opportunities that you recognize

Don't despise the small tasks

Pursue them diligently

For passion and purpose are discovered

Through acts of ministry

Keep a pad and paper

And a nearby pen of ink

Write your visions plainly

Make time to pray and think

Don't believe the hype

Avoid the glittery and bejeweled

When we think with our eyes

We are often easily fooled

All money ain't good money

Sometimes less is more

Make a living through your giving

Learn to turn two into four

Your fear is your only courage

Be scared to disobey

Be scared to rock that boat

But sometimes rock it anyway

Know how to keep your quiet

Until it's time to say

If your heart ain't feelin' right

Then say it another day

Freedom of speech

Means come correct

Be quick to listen

Be quicker to respect

Be slow to speak

Even slower to get twisted

Meek ain't weak

Self-control beats double-fisted

The only thing to know

Is that you don't know squat

Nobody cares what you know

If they think you care not

So pick your spot

Practice - don't preach

When the student is ready

The teacher will teach

If faced with a fool

Proverbs 26 - verses 5 and 4

Sometimes you can let it go

Sometimes you gotta let em know

Train your child with loving instruction

Encourage growth, but discourage rambunction

Know you are equal in essence

But very different in function

No good deed goes unrewarded

But the payoff is seldom immediate

Dreams manifest at God's appointed time

Though it tarries, wait for it

Love,

Daddy

(Author of "A Long Walk … Towards Care, Concern, Respect, and Advocacy")