The Middle Son Of Thunder Goes Double Digit

Dec 8, 2010 by winjaw

Ever wake up real early with a sudden fearful jolt that someone, who shouldn’t really be there, is in your room?

Yeah.

Most kids walk into their parents’ room and start softly calling out “mom” or “dad” with a slightly increasing volume until they reach the yelling stage – or you finally wake up. Not the middle Son of Thunder. He has a tendency to just walk into the room and come right by your side of the bed. And wait, without saying a word.

I guess he thinks his aura will wake us up. And it does, and it totally freaks you out when you come out of a dead sleep and see a body standing right there.

This morning was no different.  This time it was to remind us that today was his day. The Son hit the big 10.

Birthday tradition has it in our family that all parents/siblings wake up early, walk into the birthday boy’s room and do a little serenade. Okay, a really loud serenade.  Obviously, Middle Son blew that. But he promised to pretend to sleep and went back into his room so we could continue the tradition. He did his part, we did ours and the tradition lives in.

Each year I write a letter to the Sons on their day. It seems I write similar things each year, maybe because if you follow a few simple time-tested guidelines, things work out in the end. And so, tradition goes on.

Dear Seth:

Congratulations on hitting 10. You are now in double digits. I wish I could say life and things and stuff will get easier. They won’t. But that’s okay, because know you will always have your mom, the Little Black Dress, and I behind you. And your two brothers, at least when you all aren’t pounding on each other.

I admire your voracious reading habits, you got that from me. You are quite an artist, which obviously came from The Dress’es side and not mine.  And I love your imagination. You’re the only kid I know who can go out by himself with just a stick and create an entire battlefield with six opposing armies.

Just a few thoughts from you old man:

I know you’re just starting to get a real understanding of money, but try to live by the 10-10-80 rule. Give 10 percent of everything you make back to God and charities; save 10 percent; and learn to live on the remaining 80 percent. You will always have money.

Be willing to sign your name to anything you do.

Remember your name, your honor, are among the most important things you possess. Never let anything tarnish them.

Keep your word, even if it hurts or costs.

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Forgive. Human nature makes it impossible for us to truly forget, but learn to forgive a wrong. Your heart will feel better. Keeping a grudge or not forgetting only hurts you, the other person probably doesn’t even know.

Get all the advice and knowledge you can. Weigh it. Remember that in the end, you have to make your own decisions. Stick with them unless new information causes you to change.

Work harder than everyone else. Be the first to arrive and the last to leave.

Remember something else about work, God and family are more important. Learn what is really important in life.

And finally, a man once asked Jesus what were the most important commandments.

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”

Follow those two rules above all else and you will live a rich life.

Oh, and marry a girl like your mom.

Love you Seth

Dad