To my Son,

You know I love you, and there's nothing in this life more important to me than you, and your happiness. Trust me that it's not mercenary to think that a large part of that happiness is success. Oh, some will tell you they're happy with the intangibles, the ethereal things. But they're the dreamers, the artists, and never has the world seen a more tortured lot than the dreamers and the artists who sacrificed all for their dreams, or their art. Of course there's value in the intangibles, and no total happiness without them, but the cynical, perhaps sad, truth is, that without the material things, the creature comforts, you'll probably never get to be truly happy.

Build your life with a plan. It doesn't need to be a grand plan, but a plan. Set some goals and make your play with them as the target. Use all the options, and grab all the fun you can without losing sight of that target. Don't let selfish indulgence and instant gratification distract you from the long term goal.

The best part of your life is when you're young. That's as it should be. The longer you can be a kid, and still chase the brass ring, more power to you. But whatever you do, don't wait too long to grab for the ring.

I want only the best for you, happiness throughout your life. Happiness that's only possible when you are proud of yourself, and feel you have made a success of your life. Success that isn't measured in dollars alone, but in a combination of accomplishment and ideals ..... the mark you've made. Public recognition is part of that, personal satisfaction is part. It's how you see yourself, how you think others see you, how you fit into your picture of the way things ought to be, that determines your happiness, your success. So set goals that are wonderful, and reachable, and strive to reach them with all your might, and all your heart, and may your life be filled with successes, and pleasure, and happiness.

Love .... Dad