WE LIVE ON

Dear Spike:

There was a time, not so long ago, when every night as you went to bed I would lean in to kiss your forehead and say these words:

“I love you more than…”

And you would complete the sentence:

“… anything.”

It's been a while now since you have wanted me to do this. And I want you to know this is OK. This is the way things go. The things we do as parents and small children give way to new things. And the new things that you and I share have been so wonderful that it does not hurt to have lost some of the old things, especially as none of those things are really lost anyway. They'll always be there, between you and me, even if they've long gone unsaid.  

But what I said then is still true today. And that will not change. Not ever. 

I believe many things about this world, but this I believe most of all: Love is eternal. It never ends. It goes on and on, even when we do not.

And so I have loved you, I do love you, and I always will love you. More than anything.

I do understand if that does not soothe you right now. And that's OK, too. Carry it with you for a bit. Hopefully, in time, it will become a blessing — one of many in your life. 

Share those blessings. Open your heart and share your love. Share it until it hurts. Then share it some more.

This is how we become eternal. This is how we live on. We create love, and that love is like a little sailing ship that rides along the sea of time, that braves the currents, that survives the storms, that sails on and on and on some more.

Wherever the seas take you, my love will sail with you. I promise. 

You will do amazing things in your life. You will do some foolish things, too. My love is not affected. Sometimes you will climb mountains. Sometimes you will trip on a curb. My love is not affected. Sometimes you will be a hero. Sometimes you will need one. My love is not affected.

On your best days and your worst, you will be loved — unconditionally, and always.

I love you more than anything.

Love,

dad