People

One of the most important things you will do in your life is choose people. You have a choice in who your friends are, where you work, and who you choose to marry. Be very careful with people John. People are very strange, most I have met have been somewhat cynical, selfish, and cruel. I am not trying to tell you not to meet people, but I am trying to tell you to be selective. Make sure your friends, lovers, and people in your life show good character. People generally show their real selves after a few months. Make sure you take your time in letting people into your life.

My best friend in high school committed suicide. His character was seriously flawed. He was always trying to take advantage of people. He was a thief. After high school I learned he stole clothing. He was always saying how much money he was going to make. I am not sure what happened but one day I received a phone call and he was gone. He destroyed his family with his last act of selfishness.

Another so called friend of mine became a drug addict. He smoked pot and his life went down hill. He was the life of the party. He flunked out of school and never took on any major responsibility. His father takes care of him today. One of the last times I saw him, we were 19. He drove his car over a rail road track that was a 45 degree angle and about 6 feet high. I was in the car and we jumped about 20 feet. We were very lucky that no one was hurt. The car was totalled and he wasnt making the payments so it got repossessed by the bank and his grandma had to pay it off. Horrible.

Girls will be a different topic all together.

I want to say that your mom was the best decision I have ever made. I waited until I found her and it was worth it. She is great. She loves our family, she is the family. She is responsible, frugal, smart, strong, and very tough. She adores you. One thing you must do is make sure she never struggles. Make sure she has a home. I dated many women that I thought I wanted to marry and that I loved. You could bundle all the love that I had for all of those women and it wouldnt add up to the love I have for your mom. She is my stone. She loves you.

My mom and dad. Thank goodness for them. Growing up as a child was great. My father was a dentist and we did well financially. We had a nice home in Lima, Ohio. We didnt want for much and I was somewhat spoiled materially. I wanted it I got it. What I didnt get was a lot of direction and supervision. I was pretty much on my own. I was raised by a black woman that we pet named - GI GI. Gi Gi died when I was in forth grade. She was my real mother.

My mom and dad and your mom have taught me alot about parenting. Your mom taught me all the right things to do and my Mom and Dad taught me all the things I shouldnt do.

Stand your ground with people. Be smart about it. But if someone is giving you crap you smartly deal with that person. Work is difficult enough without good people in your life. Keep taking chances at work or what ever you decide to do as a career. You will always have a home to come to if things get bad. I love you, dont forget that. I dont want you to be a slave to the system. I hope you are able to define your work life.

Work will be another topic. I am sure we will revisit this subject.