To my beautiful grandchildren...
Our world is changing so fast and there are many things I wish for you...
I'd really like for you to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover loaf sandwiches. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother or sister.
And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when they want to crawl under the covers with you because they're scared, I hope you let them.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother or sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let them.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.
And if a friend offers you a cigarette, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandparents and go fishing with your uncle.
These are just some of the things that I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.
I'd really like for you to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover loaf sandwiches. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother or sister.
And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when they want to crawl under the covers with you because they're scared, I hope you let them.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother or sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let them.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.
And if a friend offers you a cigarette, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandparents and go fishing with your uncle.
These are just some of the things that I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.
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