Dear Children,
I never get tired of watching that video because it makes me feel hope and reminds me that moments matter. Whenever you gain the keys to this kingdom you will see I have used it more than once but that is because it is important.
It is important because as you go through life you will collect your own moments and memories. Some of them will be good, some will be bad and some will be awful, but most will be good.
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When the hard times come and they will you’ll look to certain moments to help restore your center. Sometimes I do that by thinking about the last time I saw your great grandparents dance.
It was at their 75th wedding anniversary party. You are too young to recognize how amazing that is, but trust your old man- it is not something most people will see. They made it to 76 years and then grandma died.
Grandpa died 18 months later. The docs say the cause of death was old age, but I know better. Grandpa died from a broken heart. He did the best he could to go on without grandma but it was just too much for him. It is ok, he died a hero.
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People are struggling now and it is not just because of a bad economy or just because something very bad happened. It is a collection of things and I am not going to try to explain it all because most of it doesn’t make sense.
It is why I search for the write words because life doesn’t make sense, but then again it doesn’t have to.
What matters is that you never forget there are more good people than bad and more hope than horror. What matters is that you find the people that fill your heart with happiness and your soul with delight because when the dark times come you’ll hold hands and find your way out together.
People matter.
You matter.
We matter.
I love you very much.
-Dad
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Dear author it is really a wonderful article. Thanks for this article, i just loved this.
I am not a parent but this moved me so much. Your kids will love you so much more when they read this ten years from now.
That is very kind, thank you.
Words of wisdom Jack. Well said.
Thank you Bev!
fantastic.
Thank you Robbie.
Beautiful post. So much truth in it.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks. Hope you are doing great.
What a beautiful post! So right on.
Thanks Larks. Every now and then we get it right here.
Such a gorgeous, heartfelt and moving post. How right you are.
Thank you Mod Mom.
This is a beautiful, heartfelt letter. Maybe “I love you” is all any of us really need to say to one another during this tragedy rather than struggling and beating ourselves up trying to find the right words. They’re right there: I love you. We all could use a little more love these days. Great post!
Hi Angela,
Those three words make a huge difference. I think they are a big part of helping to keep hope alive and that is a big part of making things work.
Beautiful. I think it is important that we say things like this to our kids because our voice becomes their inner voice.
Thanks Lindsey. I hadn’t thought about it before, but your comment about “inner voice” makes perfect sense.
A very poignant post, Jack. Thanks for sharing more about your grandfather. They were great men, our grandfathers…
Hi Joe,
Our grandfathers were men worth looking up to- got to put some of that out there so that we don’t forget and our kids can learn.
This was just beautiful and made me tear up. I love your message to your kids. You sound like a great father. Happy holidays!
P.S. This paragraph really got to me. Right on! We have to keep the hope alive.
“What matters is that you never forget there are more good people than bad and more hope than horror. What matters is that you find the people that fill your heart with happiness and your with delight because when the dark times come you’ll hold hands and find your way out together.”
Hi Kathleen,
Happy Holidays to you too! I am like every other parent, just trying to do the best I can to make things work for the family.
Hope is what makes it possible for us to keep going even when things are rough- I really believe in it. If I can convince the kids to never let go of it I think their lives will be better for it.
I could relate to each and every one of those moments. Those moments are what makes life good. I remember the last time I saw my grandparents dance. It was at my wedding.
Love this.
Hi Ginny Marie,
That is a great memory of your grandparents. I really like that. Moments are what make life magic.
I love this: “when the dark times come you’ll hold hands and find your way out together.” I’m planning to write letters to my children over the holidays too. If anything happens to me, I want them to know how much I love them.
Hi Azara,
The letters are awesome. I hope you enjoy writing them as much as I have enjoyed writing mine. I am biased, but I think it makes a great gift for our kids.
Yep… I hope I don’t have to explain what happened to my 5yo, but I might. And if not now, then I’ll have to explain the next evil. We have to concentrate on the good, or evil wins.
Absolutely. It is critical in my mind to let our kids know that even though bad things happen there are still far more good things than bad.
Awesome letter.
My Grandparents died last year within 3 months of each other. We all thought my Grandma would rally, but I can say for certain she died of a broken heart.
I hope The Hubs and I are just as lucky to live until we’re in our 90s and die so close together…
Hi Dani,
Sorry for your loss. I understand the broken heart bit. My grandfather was in pretty good shape until he lost grandma. They were a team…
More good people than bad. What a great thing to remember, especially this time of year. Beautiful post.
Hi Kyle, I think it’s important to remember that there are more good people then bad. Sometimes people lose sight of that.
awesome. and lovely. and so right on. i’ve never seen the video and i don’t have volume, but i couldn’t stop watching.
thanks for sharing this.
Hi Christina,
The video is awesome. It just makes me smile, something about it reassures me.
What a great message to send to your kids.
Thanks Bee!
Love love love this letter! Such an important message.
Thank you Stacie.
This is a beautiful letter. I love thinking about your grandparents at their 75th wedding anniversary. Amazing indeed.
Hi Samantha,
Watching my grandparents dance was simply beautiful.
Great post Jack! I have had many great moments in my life and without a doubt they overshadow the bad ones. Life is a journey. Enjoy it right where you are.
Thanks Phil I appreciate it. The journey is what makes it fun and interesting.