Uncle Troy’s Words of Wisdom in honor of Cameron’s Graduation

Cameron Boggio, Memorial High School class of 2017.

It seems like only a few years ago when my nephew was born. But Cameron Broussard Boggio is 18 years old now, graduating from Memorial High School in Houston, and off to college at the end of the summer. So, in his honor, instead of a Hallmark card, I composed this list:

Never underestimate the value of good manners.

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

The right friends are hard to find but usually easy to keep.

It doesn’t always matter where you came from, but it matters where you’re going.

Most people are idiots.

Buy the best quality you can afford.

If you’re staying more than one night, unpack your bags.

Never lie to your doctor.

Read books for fun.

If a street performer makes you stop walking, you owe him a dollar.

Make your bed every day.

Pick a dream and follow it.

Look your best no matter where you go.

In a fancy restaurant, don’t fill up on bread.

Protect animals and have compassion for them.

When you marry, you marry her whole family too.

When a family member says “Come straight home”, just do it.

Learn about credit and understand the importance of your score.

Travel and explore other cultures and places whenever possible.

A condom is infinitely cheaper than 18 years of child support.

Flip Flops are for the pool or the beach, never for the public.

A nice restaurant doesn’t use Sweet-n-Low packets to stabilize a wobbly table.

No matter how bad you think things are, someone somewhere is worse off than you.

If something worth doing is easy, you’re either good at it or doing it wrong.

Sit in the front row of class and show up every day; that way if you throw yourself at the mercy of a teacher for a grade, they’ll know who you are.

Congratulations, Cameron!