Genuine

To my son Tommy,

You are quite genuine in most everything you do, a trait that I hope you hold on to through the years.  You are authentic in your care and concern for everyone.  You have sincere emotions that you do not hide.  The veritable smiles and the honest tears and the true concern and care are just what this world needs.  More people with the genuine heart of a four year old.

Too many times in this world people don't care.  People ask how you are and don't care.  People feign outrage but really don't care.  So many are filled with hypocrisy and pretense that they could be considered a mockery to mankind.  We can only hope that through example, those types will be encouraged to be more genuine and true to themselves and true to others.

Because you are genuine,  people are attracted to you.  Doesn't matter if you are 4 or 40.  If you keep your heart and actions and words genuine, their meaning will grow tenfold.  If you fill your life with half-truths and sham beliefs and spurious pursuits, you will still be genuine...a genuine horse's patootie.  At various times in my life, I have been both types of genuine.  Since meeting and getting to know you, I have been inspired to be real and true and sincere and all the good parts of being genuine.  I hope it shines through in the words I write.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo