Kathryn Amurra

We can’t always control how someone will interpret our words. We can do our best to express our intent clearly, but it is ultimately up to the recipient how they will take it.

This summer, as we prepared for the big day when we would move my daughter out of our house and into her dorm room, I felt things shift.

No matter what facts are staring me in the face, I seem to always believe that things will turn out for the best.

My parents were immigrants--how lucky am I to haven born here to be an American through no effort of my own?

Fathers sometimes forget all the things they've taught us, all the advice they've given, all the love they've shown. Let this be a reminder.

We cannot control how people will perceive us. What we can control is how we react to their judgment.

We don't always control our own destiny. We can only do so much. As for the rest, it will be what it will be.

The only way to improve ourselves is not to lament what could have been, but to take action.


If we want to make the world a better place, we have a start by trying to improve the relationships within our own families.

Our efforts inevitably result in some success and some failure, but regardless of what life brings we must always find the courage to continue.

A new year is a new chance. We want to do more; we want to do better. It's one of the best features of our flawed human nature.

As we enter the holiday season and look to the start of a new year, let us remember that, like ships, we were not built to stay in our safe harbors.