A letter to my only daughter.

[flamin lib]

You and your children are my bid for my immortality. What my father learned from his he taught me. These things I taught you and you will teach yours and they will teach yet another generation. What do I want to pass on to my grandsons? I guess it’s the same as I tried to give you.

First is a penchant for curiosity; the need to know, to wonder and to figure things out. If your little bids-for-immortality begin with this I think the rest will be a lot easier.

A reverence for nature is important for them to feel. Understanding the cycle of life and that everything, regardless how small, fits in a place especially made for it. That what happens to the least happens to the rest.

I want them to know the difference between right and wrong and have the strength to do right when it’s not the easiest thing. That voice comes from within not without, and I hope they find it in what I do as well as what I say.

They should have a sense of their place in the cosmos. Humanity is neither the greatest nor the least of creation, it is what it makes of itself. I hope they find the courage to see things as they should be and ask why not instead of seeing things as they are and asking why.

Finally I wish them to know that the universe has a sense of humor. Otherwise a six ton elephant wouldn’t have to eat with his nose and there wouldn’t be enough left over pieces to make a duckbill platypus. I hope they learn that sometimes the joke is on them and to take it in stride.

These things I tried to pass on to you knowing that you would pass them on to yours and they to theirs. You have been and, continue to be, my bid for immortality.

Love,

Dad

[CrispyQ]

1. Very nice.

You hit on a couple of things I think are critical.

1. First is a penchant for curiosity; the need to know, to wonder and to figure things out.
...Always question your belief system. If you find it lacking, change it. If you find it suitable, question it again tomorrow.

2. I want them to know the difference between right and wrong and have the strength to do right when it’s not the easiest thing.
...Most people only do the right thing when it is the easy thing to do. Do what's right, BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT. Don't look for reward for doing the right thing, don't do the right thing out of fear of punishment. Just do the right thing.

3. Finally I wish them to know that the universe has a sense of humor.
...A common trait I find in people I don't like is that they take themselves too seriously. They may find humor in other things, but rarely themselves.

Flamin Lib, you sound like a good father. Your children are fortunate. :hug: