Dear Son

My Son My Son...

Take a moment, just a moment, to put all the things of this immediate world on hold. Take a moment to look at the big picture and not just the urgent details right in front of you. There's some things you need to know.

First and foremost... I love you! I chose you! I knew when i adopted you that there was a chance your mom and i wouldn't stay married. My choosing to make you my son had nothing to do with my relationship with her.

Second, I'm proud of you! There will never be a day that i won't proudly stand up and say "That's MY Son!" You are a wonderful person! Unique and Original. There's no one like you and who you are has amazing value.

and now for the other stuff...

It's on your shoulders now. The choices, that is. You need to know so much and yet you'll never seem to know what you need to when the choice comes. You'll do the best you and hopefully some of these words will be remembered.

Please please please... look at other people. Think deeply about what it's like to be them. What is life like for them. What hurts them, what makes them feel good, what are they going thru right now. What's happening in their lives that influences the choices they make. And try your best to have understanding for them.

Whenever possible, put off gratification until later. Don't fall for the "buy now pay later" sales pitches. It's ALWAYS better to suffer a little now so that you can have better things later. That goes for money things and work things and friendship things.

Show respect to your parents. You're going to want their help at some point in life. Either some money or some time or some work or for them to watch your kids or SOMETHING... make sure they know you love and respect them. It can only serve to help you later.

and i've got more... so much more... but it'll have to wait for other posts.

Just know that whatever else there is... i love you. ALWAYS!

-------Dad