Two days
ago I posted a letter that I wrote for my daughter, Wende, to her great
grandfather when she was a one-year-old. (I found a copy in a 47-year-old file folder the other day.)
Here is his twinkle-in-the-eye reply
dated April 28, 1971:
Dear Wende,
Your letter reassured me that you have had your parents all giggles and gaga-eyed the first 12 months of your life.
I must warn you, however, that the difficulties you will face in the next few years will be much more challenging than your first year.
For one thing, I believe you will find
that much more is expected of a little girl than is required of a boy.
Boys can slide down mud banks, catch frogs and chase snakes, jump out of trees, get into fights, swim naked and nothing will be said about it.
You will be expected to be “lady-like.” That is, keep your room tidy and your dress and hair clean and pretty.
Your dad will want you to be the smartest and the sweetest girl on earth, but don't fret because he will love you with all his heart no matter if your throw spitballs and give a shiner to the boy sitting behind you for pulling your hair. Your mom may be concerned about a sullied reputation.
If you get muddy, go fishing, play football or climb trees your dad will love it, but not so much the women folk.
Grandmothers and great grandmothers present another complication. They'll want you to take piano lessons and learn to sew. Before you can say leap-frog they will have you baking cookies.
On the other hand, you will have some advantages over boys when it comes to getting your parents to see things your way.
There are two ways girls handle their parents. Some little girls throw temper tantrums. Avoid this at all cost. It labels you spoiled and pampered. Nobody likes a mollycoddle.
The soothing way to handle a parent--and from the reports that have reached me--the technique that you have already begun to master, is much more effective.
Your daddy will be unable to resist your entreaties when you cuddle in his lap, put your arms around him and whisper a few sweet words in his ear.
Give your parents a little love and sincere praise and you can get just about anything your want.
Always be polite. This will surprise your neighbors and captivate your parents.
Life can be as beautiful as a sailboat in a summer breeze when you train your eyes to see the best in situations. You can bring joy to your life and others simply by looking for the good in things.
Certainly there are ugly situations and difficult people in the world, but you’ll find if you look with clear eyes that there exists many more good people and beautiful things than bad and ugly.
Determine that you are going to make the world better because you lived, and you’ll find life a wonder.
Love,
Pop
Boys can slide down mud banks, catch frogs and chase snakes, jump out of trees, get into fights, swim naked and nothing will be said about it.
You will be expected to be “lady-like.” That is, keep your room tidy and your dress and hair clean and pretty.
Your dad will want you to be the smartest and the sweetest girl on earth, but don't fret because he will love you with all his heart no matter if your throw spitballs and give a shiner to the boy sitting behind you for pulling your hair. Your mom may be concerned about a sullied reputation.
If you get muddy, go fishing, play football or climb trees your dad will love it, but not so much the women folk.
Grandmothers and great grandmothers present another complication. They'll want you to take piano lessons and learn to sew. Before you can say leap-frog they will have you baking cookies.
On the other hand, you will have some advantages over boys when it comes to getting your parents to see things your way.
There are two ways girls handle their parents. Some little girls throw temper tantrums. Avoid this at all cost. It labels you spoiled and pampered. Nobody likes a mollycoddle.
The soothing way to handle a parent--and from the reports that have reached me--the technique that you have already begun to master, is much more effective.
Your daddy will be unable to resist your entreaties when you cuddle in his lap, put your arms around him and whisper a few sweet words in his ear.
Give your parents a little love and sincere praise and you can get just about anything your want.
Always be polite. This will surprise your neighbors and captivate your parents.
Life can be as beautiful as a sailboat in a summer breeze when you train your eyes to see the best in situations. You can bring joy to your life and others simply by looking for the good in things.
Certainly there are ugly situations and difficult people in the world, but you’ll find if you look with clear eyes that there exists many more good people and beautiful things than bad and ugly.
Determine that you are going to make the world better because you lived, and you’ll find life a wonder.
Love,
Pop
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