Barry Levinson
Well, tomorrow will be another Thanksgiving Day to celebrate and enjoy. At my stage of life, there have been many such days. But now considered a senior citizen by most with a 12-year-old son, it makes me want to reflect on this very special day of national celebration.
When I look upon my son, feelings of love, hope, and faith in the future fill all my senses. He could not be more special to me and I could not be more proud of the young man he is so quickly becoming right before he enters his teen years.
My son Brett is now in Junior High School, maturing and growing so fast right before his parents eyes. We look forward to his further development but are amazed at how fast these 12 years have gone.
As I said, there is no greater way to garner hope for the future than to peer into the future of your children. There are many instances when the things he says or the questions he asks are not only remarkable for a 12-year-old but are remarkable for any person at any stage in life.
He is smart, in fact very smart and that intelligence and inquisitiveness will certainly help him make his way in the world. But brains does not make for a good human being. The qualities of generosity, the importance he places on friendship (including how he routinely will stand up to help defend his friends), the honor of his actions and the integrity of his being, those are the things that make for a good human being. Throw in a great sense of humor and a loving nature and you have one great kid. What is a byproduct of being a good human being? It is being a happier human being.
So I thought it was the time that I told him what I had been thinking privately to myself for some time now. I told Brett that I expect great things from him. I expect that whatever choices he makes in life that he will make a real difference. I also told him that I was not trying to put pressure on him to meet very high and may be difficult if not impossible expectations. I told him that I just believe deeply in the quality of my son and that I believe he will make his way through life making a real positive difference for others as well as his family and friends.
I am blessed that my wife Susan has been such a positive force in our family’s life. That she has dedicated herself to raise Brett the best that she could with much love and devotion.
For life as well as society is a continuum. One way we leave this life in a better place is by leaving children that will help make our society better in the future.
So only a few hours before another Thanksgiving Day, I am lucky to have such hope and faith that life is good and more importantly that I strongly believe my son, Brett will lead his life in a way that will be a positive influence on so many others.
May I suggest if you have not done so in a while or maybe ever to tell your children how very special they are, how much they are loved and how much hope and faith you as parents have in them.
Wishing family and friends a happy, healthy and blessed Thanksgiving Day.
#1 by Barry Levinson on November 24, 2017 - 10:42 am
My family had a wonderful Thanksgiving experience. I spent it with my mother-in-law, my nephew and my wife and son.
Part of being thankful, is to acknowledge that each and every one of us has a responsibility to contribute to the greater good of society and our community.
As we approach another glorious holiday, Christmas, here is hoping that we all try to do just a little bit more for our community and our neighbors.