Dear Son...

February 14, 2011

Dear B,

I trust that your week of SBA is going well.  Hopefully you are experiencing the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone's life.  I expect you are also enjoying the time spent with your fellow humanitarians and it is proving to be a bonding experience.

I would say that I was proud of you, but I suspect you are growing weary of, and perhaps indifferent to my approbation.  Rather, I shall share my hopes for your future life.  Most importantly, I pray that you will follow a path, that while influenced by those around you, is the result of the dreams that emanate from your own heart.  As you navigate among the many choices before you, do not shy away from that which might feel daunting or uncomfortable.  It is through pain and challenge that we realize meaningful spiritual growth.  Our inner strength is forged by overcoming seemingly insurmountable difficulties.  Our willingness to fail illuminates our ability to succeed.  Oddly enough, it is often fear of success, that prevents one from realizing their full potential.  Do not let meaningless shackles constrain you from reaching for the stars.  You will stumble, you will fall...  But if you stay true to yourself, you will realize success, however you define it.

In our interconnected world of digital, neural networks, access to information, both useful and otherwise, can be overwhelming.  The urge to stay connected is compelling and can overshadow the real world and all the sensorial opportunities it has to offer.  Can you recall any text messages or ESPN updates that were truly memorable?  Yet, I am sure you recall a night when you stared up at the moon, watching, as the earth cast a shadow over the planetoid.  Or perhaps a brisk summer morning, up in the woods of Maine, watching the mist rise from the lake, while a family of ducks wandered down the beach.  It is these fleeting glimpses of nature's beauty that color our lives, and remind us that we are all part of something much more grand.  The materialistic world of shiny cars, big houses and large screen tv's, matters little in comparison.

These days, your mother and I watch you from afar, but we are often delighted by the choices you make.  When we came to visit you last fall, you shared with us a glimpse into your new life away from home.  As we walked around the lecture hall, and I listened to you describe your learning experience, it struck me that we brought a boy to college in August, but went to visit a man in October.  I am proud of you B.  You're a good man and I am honored to be your father.

Enjoy your time away B.  Just remember to stop for a moment, raise your head, and greet the wind as it passes by.

Love,

Dad