A letter from my father to my unborn child

So, Adam & I are doing this project where we write letters to Rex (the baby, I’m pregnant and since we’re not going to find out the gender, we’re calling the baby Rex or Regina until they’re born, stay with me). Anyway, we’re writing these letters, planning on giving them to our son or daughter when they’re older (confirmation, graduation, we haven’t decided). And we asked members of our family to write letters, too. Today I got this one from my Dad, and I really felt that it was something worth sharing.

Dear Rex / Regina,

By now, I hope you have a new name.  Welcome to the world.  I hope you enjoy your stay.  I am your grand father.  I have no strong opinion as to what you call me.  I called my grandfather “Papa.” Your mother called my father “Papa” and your grandmother’s father “Grand dad.”  You can call me what ever you want.  Sir, …. Mr. Sexton…. what ever.

It is wonderful to have you here on earth.  You are you the first grandchild for both sets of your grand parents.  You will be spoiled rotten and much will be expected of you.  Ask your mother.  She knows.

It is important that you know that many people love you. God loves you.  Knowing that will make your time on earth much more enjoyable.  

Your job here on earth is to get to heaven.  You get to heaven by loving other people and helping them get to heaven.  There are many ways you can do that.  Ask your Dad.  He does it all the time.  So does your Mom.

I’m not working from an outline so this is kind of a random stream of consciousness.  I will be stopping and turning on a dime so please pay attention.

You are very lucky.  Much luckier than many babies born at this time.  You have two parents that love each other and are committed to each other and they love  you and will always love you.  You will learn about God and your faith and  I expect that you will grow in that faith and it will be a comfort to you and give you direction, hope and purpose for all of your life.  As a baby, you really can’t ask for more than that.  This is why so much will be expected of you.

You were also lucky to be born in the greatest nation in the world.  We are not as great as we used to be.  Unfortunately many from my generation are trying to screw things up.  Sorry.  This will make things tougher for you and your generation but with your genes and your hard work and some help from some like minded friends of yours, I know you can get this country back on track.

I hope you are a better baby than your mother.  Sort of.  Actually it would please me greatly if for at least part of the time you show your mother some of things that she would do to make things difficult for your grand mother and I.   As a baby, your mother cried.  A lot.  Especially for the first 6 months. You don’t have to cry a lot but every once in a while would be cool.  Think of me. I will be giggling.

Your mother’s temper tantrums made her famous her for years 3 through 7.  Sometimes when I am around…. if you could throw a hissy fit…….I would love that.

I am a little uncertain about being a grandparent.  You living so far away is going to complicate things.  I will try to be the best grand father I can be but if you could convince your parents to move to Central New York…. I would appreciate that.

It is too bad that you are born in December.  You will miss the 2012 Olympics.  Your Mom was born just before the 1984 Olympics we spent many late night hours watching the Olympics because your mother did not think it was important to sleep at night.  We watched Monday Night Football too.  She really seemed to like that.   When you are nearly 4 you will be able to watch the Summer Olympics.  They are fun.  I wonder if people from your part of the country pay attention to the Winter Olympics?  You can let me know in 2014.

You will also miss the 2012 presidential election.  It is probably just as well.  We have them every four years and they only seem to get worse.  I hope that changes before you are able to vote.

I will write again.  Happy incubating.  Love…. Mr. Sexton.

When I got to the end of the letter I knew there was something a little off, but I couldn’t figure out what. It was when I copied & pasted it into here that I realized: my dad always signed his notes & letters to us with, “Remember to pray.” Well, obviously he didn’t write that to Rex, because Rex is in utero.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it.