Advice To My Son

Dear Jack,

Today you are only sixteen months old, so you won’t understand any of this yet. This is a good thing, because I haven’t got it all figured out yet. This is what I’ve kind of figured out so far.

The best thing you can do with your life is marry a nice lady like your mom and start cute little family with cute little kids like you. Spend a lot of time with your wife and kids and always be nice to them. Don’t criticize your wife, buy her nice presents for her birthday, tell her you love her everyday, and for God’s sake try not to make too much of a mess.

When you go to school get good grades, and, more importantly, make good friends. Break their chops and laugh when they break yours, do favors for them whenever they ask, and keep in touch with the good ones. Even if you lose touch with some of the good ones, always keep them in your heart and pick up right where you left off when you see them again.

Force yourself to believe in God. When you are a boy this will be easy. At some point, you will figure out that it is hard to believe in God. Stick with it, even if you think you’re smart and believing doesn’t make much sense to you.

When you go to work work hard and be nice to the people there. Work harder than everyone else. Don’t pretend to be a different person at work, or anywhere else for that matter. Be genuine and honest all the time, even if it is easier not to be. Do something you can stand to do for a long time.

You’re still just a little guy, but I can tell you will grow up to be a better man than me someday. You have your mom’s big heart. That’s about all you will need to be happy.

I love you little buddy,

Your old dad