In celebration of our dads, I went around and asked everyone to share a lasting piece of wisdom his or her dad has taught them. It goes without saying that we wouldn’t be anywhere without their love and guidance. Happy Father's Day!
DEB. (1st row, 2nd image) As the cliché goes, “money doesn’t grow on trees.” Hearing that always made me visualize a tree in the back yard blooming with dollar bills. Like most of us, I grew up hearing that phrase from my dad and while I probably didn’t realize it at the time, it certainly made its way into my psyche. I learned to value hard work in myself and in others and appreciate all my parents did to give me and my siblings a pretty darned good life. After all, they couldn’t just go out back and pluck those bills off the trees.
KATE. (1st row, 3rd image) Over the years, my father has taught me the importance of family. And by family, I don't just mean blood relatives but also those great friends who we love and cherish like blood relatives. The people in our lives and the relationships we have with them are a foundation for a happy life. I have no doubt that in my almost 40 years, he is spot on.
MARGARET. (2nd row, 1st image) I can't really think of advice my dad has given me. But I do value his sense of humor and love of absurdity which I think I picked up a little bit of. Once when I was 6 years old he came home in a brand new shirt he had bought to throw me and my sister off and insisted he was our long lost uncle Robert. His ruse thankfully lasted only about a half hour, the most confusing half hour of our childhood.
CLAYTON. (2nd row, 2nd image) My dad is the type of guy who will say, "That's your dog ... I want nothing to do with it." But then you catch him lovingly petting that dog's forehead on the side of the couch. He’s never really been the best at teaching me things like how to tie a tie but he has given me three pieces of advice over the years that help me out on a daily basis. They're pretty simple in phrasing but challenging to live by: 1) you're always sorry after the fact (in other words, think before you do something stupid); 2) just do your best; 3) believe in yourself. These pieces of advice are simple, but they mean a lot coming from him.
EMILY. (2nd row, 3rd image) I think my most remembered advice from my dad is, "if you're going to do something, do it right."
SARAH. (3rd row, 1st image) Without fail, my Dad knows how to make me laugh. Whether we're discussing the latest soccer game (Go Germany!) or current events, no matter if I am upset or frustrated, Dad's witty sense of humor always cracks me up and keeps me smiling.
SABRINA. (3rd row, 2nd image) Heart to hearts with my dad weren’t a big thing growing up. But he stands firmly by certain values that I fortunately inherited from him: 1) laziness gets you nowhere; when you decide to do something, put in 110% (whether it's school, work or your golf game); 2) don’t waste because see Deb's dad's adage above (I still feel guilty if I leave food on my plate or accidentally leave the lights on when I'm out); and 3) tiger balm will fix anything (okay, truth be told, I'm not sold on this one).
RHEANA. (3rd row, 3rd image) My dad owned a few small businesses throughout the years and watching him as a business owner taught me to roll the dice and take a shot in something you believe. He always said you have to work hard and make sacrifices if you want or need something. Nothing in life will be handed to you; you need to work for it. Plus if you work for it you will appreciate it more. Most memorably he taught me how to change a tire before I could drive my first car out of the driveway. He didn't want me to ever break my curfew "because of a flat tire." He was always thinking about the future and what to do to make life easier in the long run even if it means that it's harder at that moment. And that is a lesson that serves me well every day.
Teachers are some of the most important people in our lives. They inspire us, challenge us, push us, sometimes frustrate us, but most of all, they teach us and they help us grow. While brainstorming a blog post in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (from May 4 to May 8), the conversation led us to appreciatively recall the ones who were there for us in our very first year of school—our kindergarten teachers. 
Season's Greetings from Smudge Ink! We’re celebrating the holidays by sharing our staff’s special festive traditions. We’re also revealing a few of our favorite memories, food, drinks and songs. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! [This picture taken last Thursday where we spent most of the morning decorating the auditorium at the Boys + Girls Club of Charlestown for their annual holiday party.]
