My father and I haven't always had the best relationship. I've challenged almost everything he's ever told me, in part because of my stubbornness; in part due to the obnoxiousness "special"  middle child syndrome. But he's always meant well and it took me becoming a parent to truly grasp that. One of the many lessons he instilled in both me and my sisters was that....

Anything worthwhile doing, is worthwhile doing well.

And this mantra has taken me far. I haven't always made the best or the right decisions but I have learned to be a hard worker and have developed a strong work ethic that isn't based on the whims of my employer. Whatever I am doing I will give it my all.

My father has lived by this principal and as a result has been happily married for 40 years as well as recently retired after serving in the ministry for 40 years. He and my mother have retired to the Caribbean and are able to live comfortably because he worked hard; he saved hard....he lived his life in all aspects well.

I strive to emulate that. I won't apologize for my passion for the things that matter to me. I will continue to do the best in everything I do; I will pass on this lifestyle to my children and I will live it well.