My father really understood me. He encouraged me when I wanted to graduate from high school a year early. He knew I needed to spread my wings and get out of that small town.

He always trusted my judgment and knew that I'd get by on my own steam. He believed in my promise. (1/6)

One thing that makes me wistful on #FathersDay is knowing that my father never really fulfilled his own promise.

He was brilliant, but had a difficult childhood. He never had the kind of support he needed to reach his full potential.
(2/6)

That makes his unwavering support of me all the more remarkable. My father always believed me, believed in me, and advocated for me in the rare instance I couldn't advocate for myself.

He raised me to reject the limitations other people tried to thrust upon me.

(3/6)

My father raised me to trust my own instincts and speak up for what I thought was right.

He respected other people, and he commanded respect in return. He never once told me to take the path of least resistance. He told me to follow my own lights.

So I did.

(4/6)

I hope you have someone who believes in you the way my dad believed in me. He's gone now, but I can still hear his voice telling me "Go get 'em, Sugar!"

So if you're waiting for someone to believe in you, I will. Whatever it is you want to do, now's the time.

(5/6)

When someone tells me how much they want to change careers or move or travel or start a business, I tell them DO IT. Go for it.

Like my dad said, "we only go this way once."

Quiet your mind, listen to your inner voice, then ACT.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. And thank you.
(6/6)