On Legacies and Self

My dear boy, 

Although I write these letters to you with the best of intentions, I do not deny the weight exerted on my pen by my emotions. As Antoninus Pius replied in defence of Marcus Aurelius, “You must give him leave to be a man: neither philosophy nor imperial dignity can extinguish our natural affections.” Hence, I strive, as it is within my power, to do that which only the most excellent teacher should do: inspire his student to be much more while prescribing how to think and never what to think. 

I believe that even the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Christians in Philippi supplied guidance on thought rather than a list of what to think about. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

It is in this spirit that I am grateful to your mother who never ceases to remind of the liberties I enjoyed as the child of my parents; and thus, encourages me to extend such graces to you. You are not your father and as much as it is my blood that courses through your veins, it is not I that inhabit your earthen vessel. All these to say that I will ensure that I do not live out my dreams through you as is a manner common with many fathers. 

There is a cause for which you were born. I am inclined to believe that within the crucible of our destiny as a family, you will find it. The family vision is big enough to contain yours for I am confident that the heavens will not give me seed incompatible with the earth upon which I stand. As contradictory as this paragraph may pose, it sheds much light upon the penultimate. I understand my role as the progenitor of our dynasty, and I have made peace that yours may well be different from mine; your disposition to circumstances as well. Think, freedom within frame. 

Should you then be a poor imitation of your father? No! I trust you to seek out uncharted territories and found our family name there. See what I am yet to see. And to that which I have seen, examine yet again. 

I therefore charge you to be yourself even though I will count it the greatest flattery should you choose to imitate me. Nevertheless, should the latter be the case, I urge you to pursue such interests in a manner that is befitting of your natural rhythm. However, it would be my greatest honour to have raised a boy who found his rhythm in this world. 

Love,

Dad.