MICHAEL

A Journey for Michael

From your Great-Grandfather

Michael,
You have been invited,
Not by chance, but by love,
To join us on this long and wondrous journey.
We will not hand you a map.
The path is yours to find,
As we each have found our own.

Some of us have marked the trail behind us
With stories, thoughts, and memories.
You may read them,
And perhaps they will whisper some truth,
But they are not your truth.
They are footprints in sand,
Not stones in your road.

What you must do
Is walk into the mystery,
Face the challenge,
And let it sharpen your mind,
Nourish your soul,
And shape your own wisdom.

We walk beside you,
Not to guide your every step,
But to bear the weight of your doubt
When your shoulders are tired.
Lean on us,
Draw strength from our love.

But never, never surrender
Your independence of thought.
Be bold.
Be curious.
Be critical.
Be kind.

And in doing so,
You will make the contribution
We all hope for,
A light in the darkness,
A voice that matters,
A life that honors the journey.

With all my heart,
I send you forward.
Go well.