My Son John

    If you’re wondering what’s behind this recent flurry of posts, I’ll tell you. 

     Two weeks ago we rented the movie 300  

     In the movie, there’s a scene  where a dad laments he’d never taken the time to tell his son how proud he was of him, but then it was too late….

       WOW, I thought to myself, “I don’t want to make the same mistake.”

              I have had different ones tell me over the years how proud my dad was of me….yet I  rarely  heard it.   Our family was not outwardly affectionate growing up.  We didn’t hug, didn’t say “I love you”, It wasn’t until I was out of the house and my mom had a run in with cancer that things began to change, but by then I was pretty set in my ways…..so I’ve had to work at expressing affection,  I mentioned to Vanessa I  feel like I’ve  been in  uncharted waters.  Fortunately for me my wife’s family is  a bunch of huggers so it’s not like I haven’t been squeezed on.  

   And now to John…..

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     John will be heading to  college this Fall after attending a  one year college preparatory program 

       (He’s been working for me) 

     There are so many things  I appreciate about John. 

     I appreciate that he still tells us he loves us.  I appreciate his hugs.  I appreciate the fact that he is both tough and tender, and has a spiritual side to his life .   I appreciate the fact that he is a hard worker.  He’s got a sense of humor, though sometimes it has gotten him in trouble with the law.    I appreciate the way he cares about his sisters.  

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        Dear John,

       I love you!  It has been good to have you back in the house the past 6 months as you’ve worked to get your bearings.  I appreciate the way you keep us informed (for the most part) on your plans each night.  As a dad, I’ve never sensed any disrespect coming from you…I can’t tell you how much that means to me.

       I hate to bring this up again, but the odds are pretty good that you too  will start loosing your hair before too long…it runs in both sides of the family.

     I am proud of the way you handled yourself those years you transitioned into high school.   As one of your teachers commented, she’d never seen a student make as radical a personal transformation as you did.  You have guts young man.   Love, Dad