Note to My Son, Part 1
by Bill Haley, 1 Jan 2010
Bill Haley is one of the founders of PhillyCreativeGuide.com. He is also President, Interactive of Allied Pixel (www.alliedpixel.com), an integrated media production firm specializing in the convergence of HD video, web and interactive media. He can be reached at bill.haley@alliedpixel.com.
December 22, 2009 – Hey Graham, you are two and a half years old today, which is a big milestone in a little boy's life. So I thought I would write down a few things I've learned along the way that hopefully will come in handy as you start to find your way around this big world.
There are many flavors in the world. Chocolate is the best.
It's ok to blow bubbles in the house, just not when Mommy's around.
Big dogs love little boys, but not when you're pulling their ears.
If you have one really good friend in the world, you're a lucky boy. If you have two, you've hit the jackpot.
When you're picking players for your team, pick kids who can play better than you. That's a good idea later in life too.
Girls are nice but frogs are nicer, at least for now.
By the way, frogs don't like to be squeezed.
I hope someday you will know what it's like to come home and have your little boy wrap his arms around your legs and shout "Daddy!" That's the best feeling in the world.
You may be the BOSS with the SAUCE, but I am the GOOSE with the JUICE.
Your little sister adores you. Please don't jump on her.
There are people who will doubt you all your life. That's ok, just never doubt yourself.
Pick a few really good colors and try to stick with them. Orange is nice.
If the glass is half full, fill it up. You know where the milk carton is.
Be kind to everyone, even if you can't stand them.
It's not cool to play hide and go seek at Target.
Learn to climb trees as soon as you can. Climb high, be fearless, just don't fall.
I promise, the world will be as good as you want it to be.
Curious George is way cooler than Elmo.
Figure out what you like best, and do it all the time. Reading is good, and so are bikes.
It's ok to say "I love you," but if you say it too much, people will think you're a weirdo.
Your grandpa and two grandmoms sure would have liked to meet you. We'll tell you all about them when you're older.
Granddad thinks you are the greatest thing since sliced bread. He is right.
Be generous with your friends. You may have to call in a favor someday.
I will catch you if you fall.
Eat all the ice cream you want, I won't tell. Grapes are good too.
You don't have to go into the family business if you don't want to, but if you don't, your sister had better do it.
Each season is beautiful, but summer is best when you're a kid and fall is best when you get older. Winter gets old after a while.
People are generally good if you give them a chance to be. Except for that kid Tommy.
Be creative! It makes people think you're smarter than you really are.
And never forget, you've made Mommy and Daddy the luckiest people in the world.
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