FOLLOW HER

Dear Spike:

You mother attended the final class of her master’s program yesterday. In a few weeks, her grades will come in the mail and she will officially be done with this stage of her academic career.

I couldn’t be prouder of what she’s accomplished over the past few years, all while teaching full time.

I hope she’ll be an inspiration to you.

We want you to attend college, of course. And an advanced degree, like your mother’s, is a noble goal. But more importantly — and regardless of how long you go to school — I hope her example will inspire you to continue learning, throughout your life.

There is much in this world you cannot control. But your learning is entirely up to you.

Most likely, you’ll do much of that learning in classrooms and lecture halls. You’ll do homework, take tests, get grades.

But I hope you’ll also take time to read. To study. To speak. To debate.

Attend classes and lectures. Watch movies. Travel. Associate with interesting people.

I came home today to find your mother on the couch, curled under a blanket and engrossed in a new book. Done with school, for the moment, she didn’t have to read it. She was simply doing it because she loves to read and she loves to learn.

Follow her, my child. There is no more important advice I can give you.

Learn. And keep learning.

Love,
dad