Sunday 14 March 2010

A Bit of Advice

Joseph 1 day old in August 2006.

Letter to be given to Joseph on his 18th birthday:

Dear Joe, may angel face friend
  • Don't listen to baby boomers who tell you you've got to slow down and "smell the roses". We never took that advice when we were young and neither should you. Throw yourself at life!
  • Don't cross the road with your iPod on....or whatever the devise is called in 2025.
  • Never get into a fight with your neighbours. Apologise. Make Peace. Buy them a case of beer......anything.
  • When meeting someone over lunch, the way they treat the waiter is a better guide to their character than how they treat you.
  • Eat your vegetables and clean your teeth.
  • You are what you eat but also what you read and watch and hear. Don't feed your brain with rubbish, at least not all the time.
  • Don't be negative. Whingeing is for people who want to blame others for their troubles, because it's easier than finding their own way forward. If a friend makes a habit of bad-mouthing other people, take a moment to wonder what they say about you. Spend your mental energy on people who think you are terrific, not people who dislike you.
  • Tread carefully if a friend asks you to counsel them about their love life. Never agree with their assessment that their ex-partner is horrid, as they will make up the next day.
  • Never ignore an invitation to dance.
  • Never buy an expensive umbrella as you'll lose it within the month.
  • Don't be tight with your money when it comes to your friends or charity.
  • Surround yourself with people who bring out your best side; people in whose company you become fabulous, funny and wise.
  • Remember the most important decision you'll ever make isn't about career or investments, it's your choice of life partner.
And remember I will always love you unconditionally.

Namaste
Pegs xxxxxx

"To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing." ~~ Author Unknown


Joseph - March 2010, Cromer, Sydney - In our favourite park.

19 comments:

HappyOrganist said...

THAT is a gorgeous baby picture! he's as cute as any kid I've ever seen.

your ipod advice was the best =D

hasta luego muñequita

Anonymous said...

Awww sweet. Sound Peggy-some advice! He won't need the letter - he'll have had you giving him all this solid advice over the years...

Mike Smith said...

Peggy - those words are simply wonderful. You are an inspiration. I particularly like the advice about buying a case of beer...!

Sarah Lulu said...

Love it love it love it. xxx

miruspeg said...

HO - I have to completely agree with you that Joseph is the cutiest baby in the universe....I added the universe bit....LOL
When I put hasta luego muñequita
in google translater it said "Bye Doll", how cute.

Stoneweaver - The letter is just in case he is distracted and not listening. Especially when he becomes a teenager....we all know how much they listen to OLD people.

Mike - I had a feeling you would like the beer advice! Thanks for you kind words too. Hope I can always inspire Joseph with a whisper here and a whisper there.

Sarah - Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! Sorry I haven't popped over to your blog for ages. I will rectify that now.

Anonymous said...

I wish I'd had your list in front of me when my two turned 18 -it's perfect! CJ

Roban said...

I'm going to share this with Hannah, now! What great advice. Too bad it takes some people a lifetime to figure all of this out.

Jacob is lucky to have such a sweet friend as you in his life. He's bound to have a wonderful future with such a warm, caring person sharing her time, her wisdom, and her love with him.

Hugs,
Roban

Laura said...

Wonderfully helpful advice! I especially like the one about how a lunch date treats the waitor...really so true to character.

Lonely Rivers said...

A love letter if I ever saw one. Wisdom, wit and truth. Grow up good kiddo - you are loved. Sure wish every child in the world could have this in a back pocket. Great blog!

Hybrid J said...

I love every bits of it. You touched our hearts again! Thank you. :)

Constance said...

Good advice to your adorable grandson, Peggy!

miruspeg said...

CJ - Thanks for leaving a comment and such a flattering one too. :D

Roban - I enjoyed talking on the phone with you and Hannah today. Thanks for your sweet comments here. I have a feeling in my bones that Joseph will have a wonderful future. I just hope I will always be a part of it.

Laura - I completely agree. The point is a very poignant one which I always adhere to.

Lonely Rivers - Hello nice to make your acquaintance. Thanks for your lovely comments. I loved your words "Grow up good kiddo, you are loved"...I will tell him those words on Wednesday when I see him.

Hybrid - You always write such heartfelt comments.....bless you.

Aurora - Joseph is adorable but he is not my grandson. We are not related but maybe our souls are.

mermaid said...

I can only smile and cry with a mother's love. I hope he receives this with gratitude on his 18th B-Day. The journey is epic.

Anonymous said...

What a great list and wonderful advice for a young man when he turns 18.

Chapter Forty said...

What a beautiful baby Joseph made, and with your influence he will be a beautiful adult too. I especially love the one about how you treat a waiter is a good guide to your character.
C.F.

miruspeg said...

Mermaid - I am quite sure he will receive this letter with grace and gratitude. Already he is displaying qualities of a very wise soul even though he is only 3 1/2. He will always be a hero in my eyes and I imagine many others as well. :)

Des - In my opinion from reading your blog you are a hero as well. A sensitive, caring soul. If Joseph walks the same path as you the world is in good hands.

Chapter Forty - Thank you for your kind words. Your children were blessed when they chose you for their mother. I often go back to your blog and re-read some of your posts for inspiration. And your other blog "Word Fodder" is also a fantastic read. :)

Debra said...

What a gorgeous baby Joseph was! And what wonderful advice he will receive from you. My third daughter will be turning 18 this weekend, and the time goes by way too fast. Joseph will be a man before you can blink your eyes, but what a lovely man he will be with such a wonderful Auntie Pegs in his life. Such a lucky little boy.

Love and hugs,
Debbie

miruspeg said...

Deb - I feel we are both very lucky to have each other. Like my philosophy statement says above "Each One Teach One". He is teaching me to live in the moment and I am teaching him every song I know.....and what a quick learner he is.
Give your daughter a big hug for me. 18 is a wonderful age. :)

Stefunkc said...

Words to live by for everyone! I especially love the umbrella advice, it's so true!