3 Things 7-26

07/26/2021 Although MAS is a financial services company, not everything published herein will be about numbers or investing. But no matter the topic, we hope for three things: 1) That you find the time you spend engaged worthwhile. 2) That you’ll reach out to us for help in any of our areas of expertise if something we discuss creates an urging in you to do so. 3) That you’ll share this with somebody new each time you read it. Thing One This Thing Called Life A dying Brazillian father left a box of letters to be opened by his young son after the father's death. Each letter was placed inside an envelope that had the title of a probable life event written on the outside of it. The father left instructions for his son that said he should only open a letter that corresponded with a life event after the event had actually occurred. The son dutifully followed the instructions for his entire life. There's humor, wisdom, and perhaps even a bit of advice, in the letters for all of us. The first letter was the only one not in the box. It was handed to the young boy at the hospital by his father's nurse. The title and contents are below as are the other available letters: (Note: Some of the letters with titles like, When You Have Your First Kiss and When You Get Married, were written but weren't published). Enjoy and I apologize in advance if the adult humor is too much. ............................. When I'm Gone Son, If you’re reading this, I’m dead. I’m sorry. I knew I was going to die. I didn’t want to tell you what was going to happen, I didn’t want to see you crying. Well, it looks like I’ve made it. I think that a man who’s about to die has the right to act a little bit selfish. Well, as you can see, I still have a lot to teach you. After all, you don’t know crap about anything. So I wrote these letters for you. You must not open them before the right moment, OK? This is our deal. I love you. Take care of your mom. You’re the man of the house now. Love, Dad. PS: I didn’t write letters to your mom. She’s got my car. WHEN YOU HAVE THE WORST FIGHT EVER WITH YOUR MOM Now apologize to her. I don’t know why you’re fighting and I don’t know who’s right. But I know your mother. So a humble apology is the best way to get over this. I’m talking about a down-on-your-knees apology. She’s your mother, kid. She loves you more than anything in this world. Do you know that she went through natural birth because someone told her that it would be the best for you? Have you ever seen a woman giving birth? Do you need a bigger proof of love than that? Apologize. She’ll forgive you. Love, Dad. WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR VIRGINITY Congratulations, son. Don’t worry, it gets better with time. It always sucks the first time. Mine happened with an ugly woman…who was also a prostitute. My biggest fear is that you’d ask your mother what virginity is after reading what’s on the letter. Or even worse, reading what I just wrote without knowing what jerking off is (you know what it is, right?). But that’s none of my business. Love, Dad. WHEN YOU BECOME A FATHER Now you’ll understand what real love is, son. You’ll realize how much you love her, but real love is something you’ll feel for this little thing over there. I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl. I’m just a corpse, I’m not a fortune teller. Have fun. It’s a great thing. Time is gonna fly now, so make sure you’ll be around. Never miss a moment, they never come back. Change diapers, bathe the baby, be a role model to this child. I think you have what it takes to be an amazing father, just like me. WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU’RE GAY What can I say? I’m glad I’m dead. Now, all joking aside, being half-dead made me realize that we care too much about things that don’t matter much. Do you think that changes anything, son? Don’t be silly. Be happy. WHEN YOUR MOTHER IS GONE She is mine now. WHEN YOUR TIME COMES Hello, son. I hope you’re an old man now. You know, this letter was the easiest to write and the first I wrote. It was the letter that set me free from the pain of losing you. I think your mind becomes clearer when you’re this close to the end. It’s easier to talk about it. In my last days here I thought about the life I had. I had a brief life, but a very happy one. I was your father and the husband of your mother. What else could I ask for? It gave me peace of mind. Now you do the same. My advice for you: you don’t have to be afraid PS: I miss you

Thing Two Death (If I Should Go) If I should die before the rest of you, Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone. Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice, But be the usual selves that I have known. Weep if you must, Parting is hell. But life goes on, So........ sing as well.

Thing Three Just A Thought On the late stages of his fight with cancer... "It's tough. It's tough." - Keith Darnell Pritchett Father, Son, Nephew, Uncle, Cousin, Friend, and Big Brother Born March 31, 1966 Died July 21, 2021 Laid to Rest July 26, 2021