DEDICATIONS

---

Speak softly but love hard

Ask both why and why not 

When there are no answers, use your imagination

Be patient

Failure means you tried

Successive failure means you never gave up

Do what you love, whenever you can, for as long as you live

Success is when you produce more faith than finance

Allow only enough fear and doubt to keep your wits about you

But let your guard down so you don't miss the good stuff

If the fish aren't biting, tell stories

A fishing trip without fish is still, after all, a fishing trip

Science explains a lot

But Scientists know better

Beyond micro is magic

You're never too young for adventure

A good dad knows they make skis for two year olds

Or listens when a two year old demands her own pair

You're never too old for adventure

If you're content with who you are and where you're at, travel anyway so you can rediscover your own greatness

And make friends along the way

(And also for the caviar)

Pick someone who inspires and challenges you 
Forget your gym shoes, forget your jacket, but never forget why you chose them

Be humble

Let dust collect on your many awards and accolades

Because you are proud in your heart

And busy earning new ones

Love your family unconditionally and authentically

Go on as many adventures together as you can

Have snickers in your pocket on ski trips

Have Creedence and John Denver blasting on roadtrips

And not a care in the world while camping

Teach your children well

About the moon and stars and space

Because the journey doesn't start nor end on earth

So be full of wonder

And be grateful.

Thanks Dad! 

Nothing is surer, no love as pure

Than the love from a big heart wrapped up in fur

There’s no better friend

Than one who can send

A glance that is worth a thousand words

A friend full of kisses and cuddles and wags

One who walks by my side down every path

And ever if I was a fool or misguided

I knew that I always had you to confide in

Learning to trust and to love and forgive

Are all things you taught me

About how to live

No mortal, no saint, nor God above

Could give your special brand of love

And every day you spent with me

Was one more Heaven sent to me

I found a box collecting dust

And thought it ought be opened up

It’s contents brought about some tears

Things I hadn’t seen in years

Letters, cards, and photographs

of my grandma who had passed

I sat down in my favorite chair 

And let the memories fill the air

Stories that she used to tell

The way each room in her house smelled

Weaving looms and balls of yarn

Women’s groups, trips to the farm

Holidays, Norwegian food

Laughter, wit, and beauty too

And when she neared her final days

I never once saw her complain

Just then it occurred to me

Like my grandmother I hope to one day be

Dear Joel,

I was about sixteen when we sat at the table in Maya’s living room and you told me about the computer. What I thought to be a mess of wires and impending doom, you vividly proved otherwise. You explained the inner workings of this great and mysterious machine in terms or color, energy, and light. You had the ability to describe something incredibly technical in terms of conceptual art. I fell in love with your mind at that moment. You made a miracle of the mundane. That is how I remember you. Thank you for showing me a beautiful way to think.

A sister is a special friend by family, fate, or simple luck

Sometimes we are blessed with sisters by way of our own brother’s love

A sister shares her wisdom and listens when you’re speaking

A sister can be trusted with a secret that’s worth keeping

A sister celebrates your strengths and loves you still in spite of weakness

A sister laughs at all your jokes, and even asks you to repeat them

A sister judges not, except when it best serves

To help another sister gain all that she deserves

A sister is someone who always has your back

A sister will stand up for you, even when you haven’t asked

A sister isn’t always perfect but it’s just as well

Imperfection adds the color to stories sisters tell

A sister’s love never fades, and memories live on

And all the moments sisters share shape who we become

When sisters come to know this special thing of sisterlove

They share this joy with all their sisters here on earth and up above