Merry Christmas

Dear Son,

Merry Christmas! This year you're two years old, but still too young to understand what this holiday season is all about. It's still a joy to see you enjoying your toys and playing with family, but I wonder what future Christmases will be like.

The question of faith came up today, and your mother and I both don't want to push you onto a religion. We will guide you to, hopefully, come to a decision on your own about what you believe. Faith and belief in a religion are very special, personal, but also significant things. I think a lot of people forget that.

When you decide on a faith, it should be what you truly believe. And you understand there are consequences good and bad that come with it. There are very few people I know who are truly committed to their faiths, and they have my deepest respect for it. Most others I've seen only pay lip service to their faith, but don't truly live as if they believe.

I don't know what the right religion is for you, but I hope you find peace with whatever you come to believe.

Love,
Dad

Dear Son,

I recently shared this on Facebook for my birthday. I hope one day you have a similar perspective on your friends, and keep in touch with them in better ways than I have. They are such an important part of your life.

I'm typically not one for making a big deal of my birthday, but this time around I just want to add something.

One lesson that I've tried to take to heart is to recognize just how fortunate I am - and it's in a large part due to all of you.

I've shared many ups and downs, recently and long ago, from a distance and side-by-side. Our experiences and friendships have crossed decades, continents, generations, languages, and cultures. You've given me great joy and hope, but also sadness, regret, and the whole range of emotions in between. To varying degrees and in so many ways, you've all guided me to this point, and for that I'm so very thankful.

I know I still have many shortcomings (being bad at actively keeping in touch is one of them), but as I see your strengths and successes, you all inspire me to become a better version of myself. And while you might not hear directly from me for long periods of time, please know that I still remember and am grateful for our time together, and I hope we remain friends for all the years to come.

Love,
Dad

Lullabyes

Dear Son,

Today, your mom had to stay out late for work. So instead of her putting you to bed, I did.

You were cranky a little earlier than usual tonight, so I held you to calm you down while you nestled your head in your favorite blanket on my shoulder. I then started to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star like I used to do when you were only a few months old.

This was the first time I did that in a long time, and I found I really missed it. It seemed like you did, too, since you raised your head up at me and smiled a few times. As your eyelids started to droop and your head started to drift off my shoulder, I set you down in bed so that you could take up one of your uncomfortable-looking (yet comforting to you) sleeping positions.

I know you won't like lullabies forever, but I hope you will for a little longer. I'll definitely miss singing them to you when you're older.

Love,
Dad

Dear Son,

It seems like "no" is becoming your favorite word! Even when it's yes, it's no.

While "no" is an important word to use, I hope you soon learn the importance and value of "yes."

Each word is simple. Each word has great power. Each should be used when you really mean it.

Love,
Dad

Dear Son,

You had quite the weekend seeing different animals up close!

It was a joy watching your expression as you found animals you were interested in - and amusing when you totally ignored those you weren't.

I hope you learn to pursue your sense of curiosity about the world and the creatures around us. The more you pry and question and learn about anything, the better perspective you'll have about the world, and the more you'll be able to share with the world too.

Stay curious, be observant, and enjoy encountering the unknown!

Love,
Dad

Dear Son,

Yesterday was Easter, perhaps the most important holiday for Christians. It's also a day that's celebrated across the USA with lots of egg- and rabbit-shaped candy, chocolates, and similarly-themed toys and games.

While a lot of these activities are fun and get a lot of attention, I think it's important for you to understand why this day is so important from a religious perspective.

Central to the Christian faith is that Jesus rose from the dead, and this is the day that commemorates and celebrates that event. Without Easter, there likely is no Christianity as it is today.

I hope you take time to learn why certain things are celebrated in our world. It will help you to understand why people believe and do the things that they do, and how to interact with the rest of the world in an informed way.

Love,
Dad

Dear Son,

First and foremost, know that your mom and I love you very much. You are one of the greatest blessings in our lives, and hope that throughout life's journey, you'll know that our love will always be with you.

Love,
Dad