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Marking Milestones of Life
I decided to write Alex a letter concerning his milestone, the important first decade of his life. In these first years of growth, filled with rapid learning and experiences, parents and extended family members should nurture and support children closely and carefully. In my youth, I had much contact between parents and grandparents at home, at work and in leisure activities. Now I must write Alex.
November 17, 2005: Dear Alex, I ate a piece of your cake that Mama J. brought me after your birthday party. I appreciate you sending me the gift card that someone gave you. It is generous of you to share one of your gifts with me.
You remind me of how I was at ten years of age on the farm in Germany Valley of Rabun County, Ga. My environment was mostly a rural, insulated sort of world, while yours is an urban one vastly more open to outside influences. About every day I saw something new or experienced something different, but usually with a family member nearby. In the modern, electronic and fast moving world of today you are more subject to outside influences, some good but some bad. Sometimes accidents leading to cuts or bruises taught me lessons, just like you have experienced too. Much has changed in our society, but in every era a youth goes through similar phases and experiences, good and bad. I learned the hard way sometimes, which helped me. Hopefully you will do the same. Such experiences are part of life and help mold our personality and shape our approach to life.
During my tenth year of life, I finished the fourth grade in our one-room school. Students helped bring in wood for the pot-bellied heater in cold weather. Other chores or privileges included holding the flag during the flag ceremony as school started and cleaning erasers by pounding them on stones outside the building. A boy usually brought a pail of water from our spring for thirsty students. Girls or boys swept the wood floor and wiped the blackboard. You attend a class in a school of many classes and modern conveniences but there are still opportunities to help your teacher and other students.
In my school a teacher might have 15 children in six or seven classes. In this situation a teacher had to be strict and maintain control. Our schools were in the community and parents worked closely with teachers. A spanking in school often meant another spanking at home. I was lucky or good by age ten because I had only one spanking - a ruler applied to my open palm (ouch!) - and one instance of "time out" when I sat in the corner with a dunce cap on my head. These experiences led me to behave and obey my teachers. Ergo! No more pain. Thus I urge you to be a helper and always be aware you are in school to learn and develop skills for use in your adult life.
Alex, you were born a bit early. I think you were impatient to get going. When you graduated from milk to food you made up for lost time. I recall you liked mashed sweet potatoes and peanut butter. I thought you were slow to walk but while in your home one day, you got up and tottered into the kitchen looking for your mom. Apparently you also learned a bunch of words and began talking without much of the "dada, mama" stage.
You have a questing mind and do well in school. By applying internal discipline and will, you can master higher education. It is vital in today's rapidly changing world to get the best education. Through sports you exercise your body and learn teamwork. With me you have learned to enjoy the great outdoors, a love that is traditional in our family. After all, we come of pioneer stock. You, and now your sister Kelley, have become good at catching fish. Both of you like to study plants, bugs, animals and fish and sometimes carry various "critters" home to confound or amaze your mom and dad.
I am encouraged by your interest in spiritual things since a human is born to be spiritual as well as physical. Keep up your Bible studies and practice the principles of life taught therein. Live a moral, upbeat life and thereby be a blessing to family and others along life's way. Your first decade has blessed us already. Keep up the good work! Happy Thanksgiving! Signed: Papa Justus.
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