More I think, more I sink
More I sink, more I begin
to live in my own dream
I desired
So more and more I think
I absolutely sink.

One.
The people that crash into your life and then leave with  slivers of your heart as souvenirs are not the ones. They do not care in the same way that you do.

Two.
That best friend who gets a little drunk and spills words out like a leaking faucet chose intoxication for a reason. Tread carefully, your sensitive friend just might be the best thing to happen to you in a long time.

Three.
The 'friends' that treat you differently may very likely be looking to get something from you. Discern what, and avoid them at all costs if necessary.

Four.
Those conversations you find odd often lead to more uncomfortable topics. Turn back as soon as you pick up on a change, you likely won't like where this is headed.

Five.
The regrets you have are the most memorable. Figure out what's going wrong and use the same ideas to create better memories.

Six.
Do at least three things in your life that are utterly insane. Live a little more than the average and you'll always be the one with the best stories and the most creative mind.

Seven.
Go out for a night on the town and have a moment of complete reckless freedom. Live for today, because tomorrow holds a different fate.

Eight.
Aspire to accomplish your dreams, and use the hate and jealousy as fuel to fire your flame of desire. Don't hold back simply because others have.

Nine.
Never let the good things in life blind you from the rest. Too often, people forget their reasons for doing things when something halfway decent comes along. Don't follow in the footsteps of the fallen.

Ten.
Understand what you deserve and refuse to settle for less. Do not accept more, because being overly confident is often worse than being under, though do not accept the average as you become comfortable with that range and lose your hunger.

Eleven.
Create as much as possible, in whatever fashion suits you. Cast off judgement and welcome criticism, for if you let fear in it will replace you with a shell of who you have the potential to be.

I would've given birth
To you,
Endured whatever
Mothers do.
Instead, I did
What Dads do.

I rocked you
Til my future shook;
Watched you til
I couldn't look.
As you changed,
I changed too,
To do the things
That Dads do.

You were bathed,
Dressed and fed;
I loved you so much
I was saved.

If there's credit,
Well, I get it,
For teaching you to read.
I took the blame
When you got bored
With school's ABC's.

I followed you
In all your roles,
Your teams,
Your solos,
Your trips,
Your shows.
First to clap,
Last to sit;
I taped it all,
From start -
To finish.

I taught you
How to tie a lace,
Ride a bike,
Golf and skate.
When time arrived
For you to drive,
You learned
On standard,
Never stranded,
You came home alive.

Your highs
I took in stride,
By example taught
Humility's pride.
Your lows,
I couldn't internalize,
I dropped my guard
With my eyes.

When Dad's do well
It's a double edge,
The future wedge.
The world
Revealed
Desired you too.
I don't dismiss
What mothers do,
But when Dads do well,
Both lose you.

I am sinking in the fullness of you;
Like a tempest blowing through my body.
I feel every wave.
Each time you smile,
My heart prepares for the impact.
There is danger in the storm,
There is beauty.
I can't look away.
Though I know in the midst of it all...

I'm going to drown.