November 18, 2025

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Hello Gunnar,

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I hope this letter finds you well and happy.

 

You might be wondering why I’ve taken the time to write this letter. I want to share some thoughts and guidance with you—not because I doubt your parents are doing a good job raising you, but because I rarely get to see you. With all your school and sports activities, and my health concerns, we just haven’t had time together.

 

So, I thought I would share some knowledge and guidance I wish someone had told me when I was young. What could I possibly have to share with you that you might spend your time reading? As I have gone through life, I have found myself lacking basic information to face challenges or having to learn life lessons the hard way, by making mistakes. If someone had told me how to build a solid foundation to live an intelligent approach to life, my life would have been much different and better.

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When we are young and learning about life, there are certain things we might see as building a foundation for a successful life. These things I am referring to are called “positive life qualities” by some, and others call them “virtues.” It’s much easier to acquire good habits and understand the value of these positive qualities when you're young, and then you’ll always have them available as you go through life. By recognizing these behaviors and learning how to express and apply them in daily life, you can develop a life of stability and happiness. Of course, there will be challenges, obstacles, loss, and all those things life throws at us. And that is precisely why to learn them now. I’ll share a list of these virtues shortly, along with their meanings.

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You have been blessed with many gifts to start life with. Your kindness, a natural ability to connect with others, your appreciation of beauty, and your sensitive soul. You demonstrate the ability to express affection and recognize the needs of others.  Be aware of your gifts and use them wisely to build a good life and serve your fellow man. Understand yourself and others, your desires, and work toward living with integrity.

 

Choice, Your Greatest Power, Use It Wisely

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As you go through your daily life, every decision is a choice, big and small. From which shoe you put on first to how you handle difficult situations. When you were little, your Mom would let you pick out your clothes and shoes. You have always had a sense of style and color. I appreciated her doing this, allowing you to make a choice. The foundation you’re building for a successful life is made one decision at a time. How do you decide which choice to make? 

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Your life’s success depends on the choices you make. How do you decide what’s best? You can stumble through life, or you can understand that each moment offers an opportunity for personal growth—if you choose to see it that way. Think of it as a development process. Remember, problems and failures are opportunities to learn and grow. Now that you are aware of this development process, let’s ask: “What are we developing as we build this foundation for a successful life?” Your “character” is being developed. Your character is made up of those positive life qualities, or virtues, that were mentioned earlier.

 

 Some essential virtues include:

 

• Self-discipline: The ability to do what needs to be done, to control your behaviors and actions so that you can accomplish your choices. Even when you don’t feel like it.

• Courage: Acting despite fear or risk.

• Charity: Helping those in need.

• Kindness: Treating others with understanding and goodwill.

• Generosity: Sharing what you have.

• Honesty: Keeping your promises and telling the truth.

• Compassion: Showing sympathy and understanding.

• Patience: Being able to wait, without complaining.

• Empathy: Relating to others' situations, handicaps, or their loss. How they feel.

• Humility: Being confident in yourself without arrogance.

• Gratitude: Be thankful for all you have, even the smallest of things. Never forget this.

 

A true story about your Mom when she was young. She was in kindergarten, and we were Christmas shopping at the mall. Amelia kept dragging her leg while walking, so I asked her why. She told me one of her classmates had a disability, and she wanted to know how that girl felt and how she experienced her disability. That’s empathy, a deep understanding of others’ experience.

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I know this is a lot for a young person to think about, but it’s life-changing. You know those animated movies all the kids watch. Most of them demonstrate what I’m writing about. They have a problem, a challenge, a crisis, and the good guys come to assist or rescue those in trouble. How do they solve the challenge? By transforming, bringing out their superpowers. Those superpowers are positive life qualities.

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Be Aware Of

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There are situations you’ll encounter as a young man, and it's essential to be aware of these ahead of time and understand what your options are. So far, I’ve written about expressing positive behaviors. Let’s look at some negative behaviors or situations.

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Negative situations or things to avoid:

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• Peer pressure: If your friends ask you to take part in an activity that your parents have warned you about, or that you know you shouldn't do. You may feel pressured to go along with others; it’s best to think this through and do the right thing, even if it’s hard at the time.

• Bullying: Being unkind to someone, making fun of their appearance or handicap. 

• Stealing: Never take what is not yours. If you take from others, you’ll never know what is in store for you.

• Lying: It’s best not to put yourself in this position. Always tell the truth.

• Sex: You are a little young for this. But a word of advice, if you have sex and the girl gets pregnant, what then? You’ll be saddled with significant responsibility and numerous financial obligations. All the fun stuff you get to do is over. And how are you going to go to college when you must get a low-paying job to buy diapers? Think this through.

• Drugs and alcohol: You don’t need these to have fun. They cause damage to the body and brain, car wrecks, and stupid mistakes.

• Skipping school: Not a good idea. Most people regret not doing their best while in high school. Learn from them and don’t miss out on learning and growth.

 

You can build a life of success and achieve all your dreams. But remember, you’ll encounter situations where you need to decide what is right or wrong. Not every choice is easy, but each one shapes your future. Think of it like this: there are things in life to connect to and things not to connect to. Remember this and make intelligent choices. This is the essence of a meaningful life.

 

Your Great-Great Grandmother Katherine had a saying, “Watch what you’re doing,” or ask yourself, “Is this the right decision?” These simple questions can change your perspective and save you grief and trouble. Don’t try to hurry life along; enjoy each day, do your best, and take account of it as you prepare for bed. How did your day go? Where could you have done better? Where did you do your best? What did you learn today? Where could you have been more responsible? Always be grateful for what you have; you’ll sleep better at night.

 

Responsibility and Respect for Others

 

Probably the most important thing is to be responsible. The actions you take today are shaping your future. Accept the fact that you will be creating your life as an adult, and learning and practicing the information given here will give you a head start in understanding what is required.

 

• Listen to others’ opinions and be respectful. Attempt to understand, observe, and learn from others.

• Be kind, considerate, and compassionate toward others. Offer help where you can.

• Cooperate with friends, family, and teammates.

• Listen, observe, and be kind.

• Understand that your actions and words affect and influence others.

 

You are part of a family; it’s essential to contribute by helping where you can. Take out the trash, put your clothes away, do your homework on time, and help after meals. See and understand the value of cooperation, whether at home, in school, or on your ball team. I hope this letter offers you sound advice now and in the future.

 

Gunnar, you are an impressive young man with incredible potential. Remember, every choice you make shapes your future. Use your gifts wisely, practice your virtues daily, and always strive to be better.

 

I am proud of you and believe in your ability to create a life filled with happiness, purpose, and service to others. Remember this, I’ll always be with you in spirit, cheering you on.

I love you and wish for your happiness and well-being.

 

With love,

GiGi

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