Sharing Life

To my son Tommy,

There are times when two people will see the same thing and both will come out of the experience with totally different views of what they just saw.  Two people can live basically the same life, go through the same experiences, yet see things completely different.  Two people can be taught by the same teacher and taught the same lesson and have learned completely different things. Their perceptions, their values, their priorities, all effect how people see things.  In essence they are living overlapping lives.

I often do not see things the way others do.  That is why I write to you in these letters.  I want to share my life with you not just coexist in the same place.  I am trying to show you how I see things.  I want you to learn what I find important and learn my priorities in life and give you some insight into why.  You don't have to come to the same conclusions as your old man (because he is often filled with bull) but I am trying to arm you with the ability to find out what is true and right.

I want you to know what is truly important.  I want you to respect life.  I want you to learn how to love.  I want you to actively listen instead of waiting for your turn to talk.  I want you to give of yourself and attempt to share your life with your friends and family and beyond. I want you to share your hopes and dreams and soul with your future wife and kids.  I want you to really share life's experiences and not just happen to live through them with someone.

No two people in the world will perceive any event exactly the same way but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to share.  When we fail to share and to fail to live with compassion and understanding and just assume others are of the same mindset, this is often when the world's problems occur.  Only through love and an honest effort to rise above our overlapping experiences and truly share of ourselves will these problems disappear.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo