Once you had a dream that you realized, but do you know what matters?

It's been a stressful couple of weeks as we await the arrival of Master Sage. Less than three weeks to go. Wow. Seems like we were just finding out about you and now you're almost here. Can't wait to meet you, my son. Your room is ready for you and I think the three of us...your mother, me, and your big bro are as prepared as we are going to get.

I'm looking forward to the small things...Seth sitting next to you on the couch explaining the interpersonal dynamics of the cast of Scooby-Doo, you falling asleep on my chest on the couch, and the look in your Mom's eyes when she holds you. You see, a lot of people think "things" are going to make them happy in life. A faster car, a bigger house, a better salary. But those things are just that. Things. They come and go in one's lifetime. But it's the stuff you can't actually buy that makes it so much more valuable. Never let the pursuit of the tangibles outweigh your attainment of the intangibles. You'll thank me for this advice one day. Until then, you'll still want "the toys". I guess you have me to thank for that as well.

Headline from "What Matters" by Matthew Sweet, 1999

Dreaming is Free

I don't know if most people that know your father would label me as a dreamer. You see, I tend to be rather a realist in my actions and in the way I present myself to others. But lying underneath this layer of pragmatism is someone who does in fact dare to dream. I guess it's part of my nature to strive for more in life and rather than being cynical about things that are out of my reach at this moment, I dream about the attainment and design the course to achieve whatever it is that I want. I don't want to be in a world without dreamers. Your dreams are what lead to your successes.

My life has been a series of successes, failures, challenges and dreams. As I learned to accept myself, failures and all, a funny thing happened along the way. My dreams started to become reality. Funny, that. I always wondered if I didn't have those dreams...would they have ever come true. I can't say for sure.

Dare to dream. It's what makes it fun to get out of bed each morning. And when you look around and see the faces of what is important to you...there will never be a question as to whether or not it was all worth it. It is.

Headline from "Dreaming" by Blondie, 1979

Honesty Is Hardly Ever Heard, And Mostly What I Need From You

The world today is very different from when I grew up...and it will likely be even more different when you boys become adults. It's hard not to become cynical and distrustful when it seems like everyone around you has an ulterior motive. Whatever happened to simply telling the truth? Why must everything be sensationalized nowadays? There was an old saying that "if it's in print, it must be true." Today this is a farce. Honesty is a lost trait in our society.

This does not however mean that it is OK to join the fray of liars, exaggeraters, snake oil salesmen, and sensationalists. Honesty is something that has become so rare, that it has become one of the most admirable qualities an individual can have.

Be honest with your family and they will respect you and value your words and actions. Be honest with your customers in business and they will come back again and again. Most importantly, be honest with yourself. Be true to what you believe and never allow the temptation to undermine who you are. If I can say that I raised two honest boys...I will know I did well.

Headline from "Honesty" by Billy Joel, 1978