Since 18 November 2023, I have sent my daughter a graphic every day. I call them Dadau Graphics. I am back and closer now, and a graphic still goes to her every day.
On this page:
- How It Started
- The Graphics
- Some of the Content From the Graphics I Send
- A Video
- Questions and Answers
- The Other Ways
How It Started
The first one was made on 18 November 2023, the day I had to fly and leave my daughter for an undefined period of time. I made it in the airport, right after I said goodbye to her. I have made one every day since.
Some are funny. Some are riddles and puzzles and jokes. Some are pictures of where I was that day. Some are the ones where I was trying to tell her something and wanted it written down where she could find it again.
I made every one of them myself, on the day it went out. I build them in Canva, so some of the backgrounds and some of the photo clean up came from its tools. The majority of the words are mine. I also share some thoughts and quotes from other people. Nothing is automated, nothing is written for me, they are from me, for her and created by me always.
They are one of four ways I have tried to keep us connected when apart:
- a graphic every day
- a song every day
- an audio every week
- and a video every week
Before a meeting, before the calls, before anything else in the day, the graphic gets made.
I added the audios, videos and songs over time, but the graphics started the first day that I left and have continued through every visit, when I got back and up through today.
The Graphics
A few of the graphics I sent. These are Dadau Graphics as they went out, with her name covered.
Some of the Content From the Graphics I Send
These are a few examples of the kind of thing that I send. This includes some of the thoughts and ideas I share, for her to hold on to and to consider. Some are more playful and fun, others are reminders, others; lessons.
The majority of these are my words. I also share some thoughts and quotes from other people.
Ask, and do not assume
What I share with her about finding out what is true.
“Remember no guessing no assuming always ask.”
No. 127, 23 March 2024
“Think for yourself and do not assume. Ask questions if you are not sure.”
No. 180, 15 May 2024
“Share your feelings as feelings. Ask the questions when you are not sure of the answer.”
No. 273, 16 August 2024
“Test it, double check it, research it, and look deeper to know if something is true. Dig in to see if what you are told is a fact or if it is an opinion.”
No. 810, 6 February 2026
“Look for the proof before you conclude.”
No. 822, 18 February 2026
“The lesson is about learning the full context of what you are told.”
No. 885, 22 April 2026
“Learn all you can about a situation before you assume and then worry about those assumptions. … Assuming doesnt create peace. Not assuming can.”
No. 1012, 27 August 2026
“Doubt is not unbelief. Doubt can lead to stronger faith. Doubt can lead to better understanding. Doubt can lead to greater learning.”
No. 875, 12 April 2026
“Back up and lift up over that problem to see a much bigger picture and more of the puzzle.”
No. 801, 28 January 2026
Tell the truth
What I asked of her, and of myself.
“Always be honest speak the truth. Do not lie. Regardless of what others do… Tell the truth, even if others don’t.”
No. 279, 22 August 2024
“Tell the Truth even if it Hurts and even if you think it might hurt another. Honesty is everything.”
No. 342, 24 October 2024
“Always face the truth. Always tell the truth. It will help you so much in life.”
No. 930, 6 June 2026
“Fear is a liar. Fear does not tell you the truth. It sends lies to worry you. So don’t listen to the lies.”
No. 1017, 1 September 2026
“I respond like you are in the room with me even when you aren’t. If I can’t say it in front of you. I won’t say it.”
No. 1007, 22 August 2026
Your word
What I have shared with her about keeping her word.
“Integrity is knowing the difference between right and wrong, and having the discipline to hold yourself to it when no one else is there and to hold yourself accountable.”
No. 421, 11 January 2025
“When you give your word or make a promise… always follow through.”
No. 281, 24 August 2024
“Make your words real. Make your words true. Make your words actions.”
No. 1011, 26 August 2026
“Words and promises… are only as strong as the person behind them.”
No. 1015, 30 August 2026
“When you do things the right way, it can take longer, it can be harder, but in the end you can be proud of what you did and the way you did it.”
No. 275, 18 August 2024
“Sorry needs change. Trust needs proof. Love needs action.”
No. 644, 24 August 2025. Words and art by @the_poetry_of_being, shared by me.
Small steps
A habit I keep asking her for, and keep myself.
“There is an undeniable power that comes from consistency. Small steps and small pushes each day.”
No. 825, 21 February 2026
“It is not about major gains or achievements everyday. It is about small steps, small seeds and small efforts that have the biggest impact.”
No. 833, 1 March 2026
“The great feeling of follow through only grows as you follow through more often and keep it up.”
No. 1021, 5 September 2026
“It might just be that the life and dreams that you want are on the other side of the work, commitment and follow through that you might be avoiding.”
No. 973, 19 July 2026
“… most of the shortcuts that seem the easiest in the moment… create the longest and hardest paths over time”
No. 948, 24 June 2026
“Read to learn read to understand read to digest.”
No. 1020, 4 September 2026
“There is a big difference between never and not yet.”
No. 294, 6 September 2024
“It will be harder. But it will mean more. And it will show what you are capable of.”
No. 1028, 12 September 2026
“It all comes down to you. For your dreams… for your standards… for your commitment… for your drive … It is your choice.”
No. 944, 20 June 2026
When fear and worry come
Ideas on facing, moving away and healing from fear and worry.
“Stop using your energy to worry. Use your energy to believe, create, love, grow, glow, manifest, and heal.”
No. 612, 22 July 2025. Not my words, author unknown, shared by me.
“Your life is not only shaped by what happens to you. It is shaped by what you choose to focus on.”
No. 854, 22 March 2026
“Things you can control: your time, your circle, your effort, your words, your actions, your integrity, your thoughts, your reactions, your boundaries.”
No. 648, 28 August 2025
“Don’t let someone else’s fear shake your foundation or your beliefs. Stand strong on the truth. Stand strong on the facts. Stand strong with love, peace and kindness.”
No. 834, 2 March 2026
“We don’t have to be who we have been before. We don’t have to do what we’ve done before. And we don’t have to feel bad about it anymore.”
No. 835, 3 March 2026
“Avoid the extremes, from statements, to actions, to food, to money, and everything else.”
No. 842, 10 March 2026
“Sometimes falling forward is still a positive step and helps with forward motion.”
No. 807, 3 February 2026
“Feel all the feelings you can as they happen. Try not to avoid them. The more you feel your feelings the easier it gets to understand them”
No. 624, 4 August 2025
“When the noises of… worry, fear, sadness or doubt come… Drown out those noises with love singing dancing laughing walking”
No. 934, 10 June 2026
“Doing your best will look different every day”
No. 626, 6 August 2025
“Negative extreme statements destroy positive problem solving for moving forward.”
No. 1024, 8 September 2026
“Try to avoid making big choices when you are angry. Choices made in anger cannot be undone!!”
No. 643, 23 August 2025
People around you
Some ideas I share for her to consider for her awareness of herself and others around her.
“Always work to resolve an issue. Don’t hide from a person and don’t avoid a person with whom you are having a conflict. Work to solve, resolve, and create understanding.”
No. 827, 23 February 2026
“Your volume speaks volumes. Be aware of your dynamics, your tones as well as the loudness and softness of your voice”
No. 295, 7 September 2024
“Remember to keep eye contact and be a good listener when you meet someone. Just like you would want from them.”
No. 584, 24 June 2025
“Ask for what you need… Work on being heard… Listen to what you are told… Try to understand other opinions… And love always.”
No. 345, 27 October 2024
“Be kind. And still be kind even if others are not being kind… Be loving. Be forgiving.”
No. 231, 5 July 2024
“Who is someone you can forgive today? Without them even saying I am sorry, can you try to forgive someone that did something wrong?”
No. 217, 21 June 2024
“In those moments of feeling mean, try to plant a seed of nice.”
No. 516, 17 April 2025
“When we use positive words to fight negative thoughts, it can begin to change things.”
No. 826, 22 February 2026
“When we choose… love and forgiveness over fear, worry, and anger… We can win any battle and overcome anything in our way the right way.”
No. 919, 26 May 2026
Taking care of yourself
A few things I ask her to do for herself physically and mentally for her wellbeing and health.
“It’s time to respect yourself and your dream, both truly deserve that respect. be the person you would do anything for. Be the person you will not let down.”
No. 1027, 11 September 2026
“Stop comparing yourself to others … Start trusting more… In who you are… in what you want… in what you know… and what you are becoming.”
No. 971, 17 July 2026
“Your words have more power than you realize, especially when you say them out loud.”
No. 927, 3 June 2026. Opening line by Joseph Prince, shared by me.
“Drink more water. Even if you are not being told to by others. … It helps your mind, body, spirit, stress, digestion, sleep, creativity, healing and much more.”
No. 507, 8 April 2025
“You are one walk away from a better day and better thoughts. Walking outside activates the mind.”
No. 901, 8 May 2026
“Strong posture can help your body… your presence… and your confidence.”
No. 1026, 10 September 2026
So she can know.
A few things I have shared for her to know what I think and feel.
“You can ask me anything… You can tell me anything… You can share anything… Anything… Anytime…”
No. 44, 31 December 2023
“It’s okay to feel angry. It’s okay to feel mad. It’s okay if you feel mad or angry with me. And I will never be angry or mad with you when you share it with me.”
No. 124, 20 March 2024
“It’s okay to: be confused sometimes, be sad sometimes, be angry with me sometimes, miss me sometimes”
No. 132, 28 March 2024
“There is nothing you can say, feel, think or share that will make me mad or angry with you.”
No. 144, 9 April 2024
“I will never force you or make you call me. I promise.”
No. 148, 13 April 2024
“I am here when you want to talk. I am still here when you do not want to talk. I will always respect your space. Always.”
No. 936, 12 June 2026
“I will always respect your time and your needs… to be close or to have space.”
No. 970, 16 July 2026
“Always ask me if you have doubts. I will always tell you the truth. I will always be honest with you.”
No. 745, 3 December 2025
“I may not be perfect. I may not always be right. But when I look at you, I know that I got something in my life perfectly right.”
No. 816, 12 February 2026
“I always say I am a girl dad first… then my work second on all my social and web pages.”
No. 418, 8 January 2025
“When people think of me, I hope what stands out most isn’t the drumming, the producing, the performances, the books, the tours, the TV shows, the speaking, or any of those accomplishments. More than anything, I want to be remembered for being your dad.”
No. 691, 10 October 2025
“Those moments I push you for accountability, to do whats a little hard at times or not as much fun… it is all for your strength, your beauty and your mind.”
No. 990, 5 August 2026
“1000 graphics. 1000 days in a row. I will stay connected every day in some way. And I have kept that promise!”
No. 1000, 15 August 2026
“I push you because… I love you I believe in you I trust you I admire you I respect you I know your potential I can see your strength”
No. 1030, 14 September 2026
A Video
A short video of each graphic added each day from the beginning to September 14th.
Questions and Answers
Why a graphic every day?
So my daughter has access to an image and words from me every single day, whether it makes her laugh, makes her think, or just reminds her that she is always on my mind, always my first priority and that I keep my word. It is a promise I made, and it is something I love to do.
When did Dadau Graphics start?
On 18 November 2023, the day I had to fly and leave her for an undefined period of time. I made the first one in the airport, right after I said goodbye. There has been one every day since.
How many Dadau Graphics are there?
Over 1000 at this point and new ones come every day so the number keeps going up.
Who makes Dadau Graphics?
I do. I make every one myself, on the day it goes out. I build them in Canva, so some of the backgrounds and some of the photo clean up came from its tools. The majority of the words are mine. I also share some thoughts and quotes from other people. Nothing is automated, nothing is written for me, they are from me, for her and created by me always.
Are all the words on Dadau Graphics yours?
The majority of the words are mine. I also share some thoughts and quotes from other people. Where the words on a Dadau Graphics post are someone else’s, the credit sits under the quote.
Why is her name covered on the graphics?
Her name is across the top of every one. On the Dadau Graphics page it is covered with the letter O. Nothing else on the graphic is changed.
How does Dadau Graphics fit with the songs, the audios and the videos?
They are one of four ways I stay connected with her: a graphic every day here on Dadau Graphics, a song every day on the Dadau Playlist, an audio every week on Dadau Audios, and a video every week on Dadau Videos.
The Other Ways
Dadau Graphics is one of four ways I stay connected with her. All four are on the Dadau page. The other three:
- Dadau Playlist, a song a day, with the live Spotify player.
- Dadau Audios, an audio a week, with the live Spotify player.
- Dadau Videos, a video a week, with the live YouTube player.