To My Son

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master;
If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings -- nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -- Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son!


That's one of my favorite poems and it speaks volumes.

Liam, my goal is to teach you...and to learn from you. You've already taught me so much about how precious every second of life is. You've taught me what unconditional love is...what true happiness is. I can only hope to repay you by teaching you some of the things I've learned.

• There are people in this world who seem as if their only ambition in life is to tear you apart...to bring you down. Do not stoop to their level...do not hate these people. They are merely lost and missing an important component of themselves.


• Don't trust anyone that can't look you in the eyes.


• Never speak ill of someone as it only makes you look bad.
  
• Be true to yourself. Don't change to make others happy. It only results in unhappiness for yourself.


• Appreciate the small things.


• Be perceptive. Understand that people don't just speak with words.


• It isn't what happens to you that molds you...it's how you deal with it. You can choose to be bitter or happy. Go with happy.


• Nobody is perfect.


• The ones you love most...may eventually break your heart. See above. Nobody is perfect. Forgiveness is key.


• You are not a doormat. Hold your ground.


• Tell the people you love just how much you love them every chance you get. We never know when it'll be our last chance to do so.


• Don't treat people how they treat you. Treat them how you want to be treated. You may teach them a thing or two about manners.


• Everyone has a story. Never assume anything about anyone. Just because someone is different...doesn't make them less of a person.


• Marching to your own beat...is a wonderful quality.


• Doing the right thing isn't always easy but it's worth it.


• Keep the faith. Life will test you. Nobody said it would be easy.


• Your self worth has nothing to do with how much money you have, how handsome you are, the clothes you wear etc. A nice bum is better than a rude arrogant millionaire.


• Friends and family are the hot commodities. Sure, you can't live on love but it sure makes life worth living.


• Words are powerful. Choose wisely.


• Don't be too proud to admit when you're wrong. It takes a true man to do so. Those who can't are weak.


• The older you get...the more all of this will make sense.


• A true friend will not try to talk you into doing something stupid. Just tell them to go first...and walk away. Trust me.


• True love is unconditional.


• You might hate me at some point...but later...you're gonna love me for it.
• Your parents have lived through the teenage years. We do know what we're talking about.


• Respect women. Also, you don't need one that doesn't respect herself. She won't respect you.


• No matter how badly you mess up...I'll always love you.


• Always be open and honest.


• True strength does not lie in muscles.


• People come in all different shapes...sizes...colors. There's beauty in everyone.


• Just because someone doesn't agree with you...doesn't make them wrong or you right.


• Everyone is allowed their opinion. Educate yourself. Think for yourself.


• Say your prayers and count your blessings.


• Know that I love you...beyond measure...always.