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