Little Lessons My Dad Has Taught Me

How to shop
Always use your gut feeling as a guide, Because if it doesn't instantly 'click' it isn't worth it,
Always remember to bargain, no matter the price.

How to socialise 
Talk to everyone and anyone,
From the guard at the gates,
To telling jokes to the shopkeeper inside,
Everyone has a story to tell
And a story worth hearing

How to garden
Always trim the leaves a little,
Water regularly,
Add manure every month,
But most importantly- talk to them,
Tell them how well they're growing,
How proud of them you are,
And how loved they are

How to spot shapes in clouds
Find a curve nearest to the sun,
Close one eye,
Put your finger against it,
Draw across the rest of the cloud,
And then let your imagination do the magic

A picture of one of the first planes my dad flew

How to keep memories
Click a picture of everything and anything,
Nothing is too little to matter,
Write it down,
As a poem, 
A story, 
Anything that keeps the moment alive,
For years to come along

My dad at 6 AM arranging flowers, making a mess 

How to Take Care of Flowers
Find the prettiest vase in the house,
Cut the base of the stems,
Put them in fresh water everyday,
Pull out the dried petals,
Remember the person who gave them to you, 
Everytime you see them in the day,
Pat your own head if they're a gift to yourself

My plate from a breakfast buffet

How to eat a buffet
Remember every buffet is an opportunity to decorate your plate,
Stay light on the appetizers,
Taste everything,
Don't be afraid to go for second servings (or even a hundredth)
Smile at everyone you see,
Because unlimited good food, music and cola,
Make life worth living