Hello son!
I know you are wondering why I could write this instead of just speaking to you. Why should a dad write to his son really? Does it mean that I fear facing you? Does it mean I fear talking with you about this? It is none of these.
I don't think I skipped any of my history classes when we were thought that written records serve as part of good and reliable history than the word of mouth. In addition, I may not repeat exactly what I say in case you forget but you can reread for understanding. Besides, who doesn't know that reading opens your brain giving it a capacity to have more wisdom?
Son, I wish that you make none of the mistakes I made growing up. I also pray that you miss none of the opportunities I missed in my lifetime. In addition to these, I pray that you may not miss a lifestyle that I could see in dreams, papers, videos and in countable cases of my friends.
I wish you to have life at best to have no excuse of this or that.
In this life, you will meet a lot of things. I don't think you will need everything. But with your human nature, I know you will desire them all. You will desire to own the world but you may not manage what it comes with. You will fail to be satisfied with somethings and look for better once. You will need in most cases to learn how to tame your heart's desires.
As you grow, your love will expand from just loving yourself, I your dad and your mum to loving other people. You will have distinctions between your friends and best friends. You will have ladies as your friends. Some, you will be attracted to because of their reasoning, some their looks, some their background and may be some their fear of God. You may not meet people with all that you love in one package. Live in such with wisdom for they say, a bird in hand is better then in the bush.
Son, I don't know what will be your priories but how I wish, when all confusion comes by the things you hear, see or think you may abode in silence, rethink without bias and allow the help of those senior to you as opposed to your agemates. How I pray that in such moments you may kneel down tell God the truth and also tell yourself the truth . That in those times, you may not be blinded by short term advantages but you may look forward to a lifetime benefit.
You will have the the ability to buy all affordable to you. But son, please don't buy pain to either you or anyone around you no matter how cheap it will be sold. If at all you will be able to, buy happiness. With it you can share without limit.
I know you have seen that we don't have somethings that others have but with your mother, I am grateful of the happiness we have. I hope we always give you a reason to look forward to coming home. You don't know how much each day I leave home I count minutes back home. Every minute away from you, your mother and your sister, has always been eternity. Indeed to me home has been where the heart belongs.
Son, growing up with your mother, we had our independent experiences. Your mum will share hers or may have shared with you.
I too have been sharing with you every instance we have had.
You have judged and you know it is different from what you are going through. Our age was different from yours. But still a few things are common. I want you to learn that life will serve us differently. To some a golden plate to some clay.
When you will meet people, my son never judge them by their looks, dress, skin or the fluence of their language. But may you look for some humanity in them. Never alienate anyone because they look different. Don't laugh or mock anyone for a mistake they have made. If you can do anything, help them improve.
Son, the other part of life is that, you will meet people who value you. People who depend on you. People who will look into your face and tell you, 'bro, you are worth your presence'. People who your absence will create a big gap. These, keep them for they do not make many of them.
However, my dear son, the other side is sad. But it is reality you know. There will be some who will treat you as though you were vomited and not born. They will see you as an alien. They will enjoy what you will offer them but the moment you have nothing, they will not stand by you. They will spew on your face. They will hurt you and never feel any regrets. You will be there for them but they will not be there for you. These, handle with wisdom for they are many of them.
Above all things son, you have been brought here for others. As much as you will take care not to hurt yourself for the sake of others, don't forget to plant a smile on someone's face every moment. Learn to apologize. Learn to listen. Take time before you speak. I, your father has messed up severally in this. Don't repeat it. You will own your thoughts but not your words. Offer a should to someone. Offer a hand to someone. Remember it will be true that you will be helpful to many but lack help when it is your turn. But let this not demolarize you. Whatever it takes, give without remembering and receive without forgetting. Never do any act of kindness expecting a repay.
As some one said, your whole duty on this earth son, is to fear God and obey His commandments. His commandments include, loving those around you as you could yourself. This means if you wish they could call you, take your phone and call them. If you feel they could buy you something, go and get it for them.
I pray for you son. I promise to be there for you. I don't promise to give you all you will need because inability to be satisfied is part of the characteristics of human wants. But I promise to be there for you whenever you need me. I know your mother. This is her ultimate desire too.
Son, if you will forget anything, don't forget that I love you.