A letter to Aidan

Aidan:

Let me begin this letter by saying Happy Birthday!  On this day, I wanted to take a few moments to recognize and acknowledge what I think makes you so wonderful and to also give you an exciting challenge for the future.

Of course, it is hard to summarize what it is about you that makes you so special to me but let me try.  First, I want to honor your loving spirit.  From the day you were born, you have always been a loving boy.  Cuddling with mom and dad and always getting “cozy”.  You are always the first one to hop in bed and snuggle up next to me.  Those moments are always cherished as I can feel the deep love in your heart especially when we are close.

Second, I want to honor your wisdom.   Your wise soul has lived for longer than you.  You have been imbued with an understanding of things that often catches me off guard.  Sometimes it is reflected in small decisions that you make–sharing something with your little brother because you see how much more it means to him–and other times it is in things you say.  I can still remember you telling me that it didn’t make sense to be angry at someone because it just means that they control you.  Those little lessons are such important ones and the fact that you understand them so early reflects the wisdom that is blossoming in you.

Finally, I want to honor your persistence. As a middle child just like me, you are often competing against competition that is older, faster and stronger than you and yet that has never once slowed your drive or energy to participate.  Even when you would lose to Andrew in some game again and again, you would keep playing and getting better and better rather than giving up.  That will to participate–combined with your enthusiasm for being the best person YOU can be without needing to “win”–is an amazing quality that will serve you through thick and thin.

Calvin Coolidge once said: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”  In other words, it is people like you–with persistence and determination–that will change the world. You will change the world. You have certainly already changed mine.

So now I want to present you with a challenge and opportunity. I have seen so many reflections of your creative spirit but I feel that you are capable of even more.  You are full of bright light and on this birthday I want to challenge you to further develop that creative spirit.  To take time each week to draw, write or create something that is uniquely you.  You need not show anyone if you do not want but find that space to express who you are and embrace it.  It is in moments of self-expression and unstructured creativity that your true genius will shine for all to see.

I am so proud of you son and I am honored I was given the privilege of being your dad.

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