For Gabe on His 18th.

Dear Gabe,

I thought I would send you this picture.
You should also have the smile video to embrace you.
The photo below is to remind you of your male lineage.
You are the only direct line of Begin in the family, from my dad to your dad,
And now to you. You carry the Begin name as an entitlement.
I have sent you a book by Sam Keen called "On Being A Man."
I felt that at your juncture of manhood, this writing might inspire you.
I wish for it to carry you forward with wisdom to stand firm in the name.

I have placed below some words of wisdom from a poetry book written in 1943.

Remember the value of time.
The success of perseverance.
The pleasure of working.
The dignity of simplicity.
The worth of character.
The power of kindness.
The influence of example.
The obligation of duty.
The wisdom of economy.
The virtue of patience.
The improvement of talent.
The joy of originating.
--Bulletin

When I was your age, I read this author's poetry. Your Dad will remember it:
"For the breath of life is in the sunlight and the hand of life is in the wind."
Kahlil Gibran

A little mantra for me is to always live my life as if it was a poem.
So for this I share another poem
So that you might always remember you are one.

Morning Poem
Every morning
the world
is created.
Under the orange
sticks of the sun
the heaped
ashes of the night
turn into leaves again
and fasten themselves to high branches---
and the ponds appear
like black cloth
on which are painted islands
of summer lilies.
If it is your nature
to be happy,
you will swim away along the soft trails
for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.
And if your spirit
carries within it
the thorn
that is heavier than lead---
if it's all you can do
to keep on trudging---
there is still
somewhere deep within you
a beast shouting that the earth
is exactly what it wanted---
each pond with its blazing lilies
is a prayer heard and answered
lavishly whether or not
you have ever dared to be happy,
whether or not
you have ever dared to pray.
---Mary Oliver

Gabe,
May you always realize that prayer is the life you lead. I am far ahead in my journey,
but Sarah is not far ahead. She recently made her very own journey.
Here are her words of wisdom on this initiation birthday.

Wow! 18 already, I can't believe it. What a great age. The possibilities are endless and up for grabs. You're in a place where you can reflect on the different things you want to do, test out the waters and enjoy life to its fullest. Before you find yourself with a multitude of responsibilities...school, bills, a career, a family...you can take this time to really figure things out and discover what your bliss is, what sustains you, and where you feel that you belong. Just remember, ultimately, it's not the goal, but the quality of the journey there.  I'm happy to have the opportunity to be living in closer proximity to you and your parents now. I'm hoping that we will have a chance to get to know each other better and to share experiences and insights. I hope that your birthday is a joyful one and maybe we'll be seeing each other over the holidays.
Love Sarah

Happy Birthday!!! I hope you follow the instructions on the video we sent you earlier.

Remember, you are the only one who can live your life.
May it abound with joy!

Love Susan and Sarah