I can still hear my dad's voice whisper to my sister Marcie and me as we were walking down a hallway, or heading into school, or even just pushing a cart at the grocery store...."Straight and Tall, Straight and Tall."
Sometimes he would use code, "S and T" and smile and wink at us. We knew what he was talking about. As a teenager, it often bugged me, and I was reluctant to straighten up, but it was a good reminder.
Straight and Tall was about 3 rules for living
1. Stand up straight, but not just your posture. This applies to your opinions and presence. Stop shrinking yourself to make other people feel comfortable.
2. Walk tall. Go into rooms as if you belong there because you do. Chin up.Shoulders back. Energy first.
3. Be seen. Take up space. Wear the color. Take the photo. Speak up. Laugh loud. You are the main character of your life - not the blurry background extra.
My dad's motto: Straight and Tall. Not perfection. Not pretending. Just living like you matter, because you do. I love my dad for instilling this in my teenage brain.
September is all about my dad. He's been gone for 11 years. Dad was born in September and died in September. It was his favorite month, and now it's one of mine.
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