If you’re a parent you know there are few things in life that bring more joy and sorrow than our children and parents. Obviously, spouses are in a separate category altogether!
Of course, that means the people WE are most capable of hurting or bringing joy to are our parents and children.
Cleaning up my desk and just reread John’s most recent note to me. Personal notes have become something of a family holiday tradition at the Dowds house.
I’m leaving out the soupy bitts at the end, but otherwise proudly sharing it with you verbatim.
Sue, Sarah & I were blessed 26 years ago when this young man came into our lives. Love you Buddy [Can’t wait to hear Sarah’s reaction 😉 particularly to my choice of picture! Love you guys!!!]
Dad,
Even on my worst days I like to think and believe that there is some point to all that we do, some goal we’ve been working towards on our own throughout the years, and that with every step we take, no matter how trying, or stressful, or traumatic – we are that much closer to some greater achievement or understanding. My perceptions have shifted and evolved over the years, and my views, values, and ideals have been challenged and in some cases been rewritten – but not this.
My belief that we have some goal, some great achievement awaiting us years ahead, that remains unchanged, though I understand it a bit more now. That achievement we clinch isn’t some plaque on a wall, a statue in a courtyard, a string of publications, or fans that herald our words; the achievement that each of us reaches is the legacy that we pass on, and the mark we leave upon the world.
Every moment of our lives, every choice we make, every word we speak, every thought we share becomes a part of that legacy; most importantly of all the contributing factors though is the way that we treat others. We are remembered more for our compassion or our indifference than we are for wealth or fame. Anyone can achieve such fame to be immortalized in a statue but it takes someone truly in tune with themselves to leave such an impression that people would WANT to learn about who such a statue was cast of.
Though, for all of us there ARE instances in our lives where we’ve done wrong to others. We can’t undo those moments, however we can promise ourselves to never repeat that, and to do better, and treat others with respect and compassion.
John Dowds
Hey God – it’s Allan again. Thank you for Sue, Sarah and John. <3
AUM, the original AMEN #BringBackPatanjali
