Dear Son

November of 2014 I wrote my son a note for his journal wherein I told him what I hoped for his future. Two and a half years later, the sentiment is still the same. He sat by me this morning, watching a cartoon, and a scary looking character came on. "Is that a bad guy, Mommy?" All I could imagine was all the bad guys he would encounter that we couldn't just point a remote at to make go away. Bad guys who took the form of a school bully, a hard to deal with boss, or actual bad guys who cause him physical harm. I HATE the thought of anyone or anything hurting my baby boy. In addition, I really hope that my son values other people and doesn't become a bad guy himself. I don't want him to let the world corrupt his sweet, caring, and genuine nature. The boy who stops to say, "I love you, Sissy." while they are playing dinosaurs needs to stay at the heart of who he is.

"My dear baby boy, I don’t care what religion you choose to believe, so long as you believe in something. I don’t care who you marry, man or woman, black or white, so long as you marry for love. I don’t care what career path you choose, as long as its something that brings your soul happiness and joy, even if it isn’t glamorous. All I ask is that you be a man of character. Be decent, honest and respectful. Hold doors for others, use Sir and Ma’am in conversation, say please and thank you, and by all means, show gratitude. Life may not always be perfect, in fact, I can assure you it won’t be, but it can be so very beautiful. All you have to do is find a way to spread joy and love when and where you can. This is what I hope for your future."