The Baton, a Letter To My Children

Dear Pam, Curt, and Jem. Pam, my father, your grandfather, died when I was 13 years of age. When I was 36, I had been fatherless for 23 years. So many times, I would have loved to have sought his advice, but he had passed on. Curt, when I was 33 like you, I had been without a father for 20 years. His wisdom and insight would have been a tremendous help to me, but he died too soon. Jem, when I was 28, I had been deprived of a father for 15 years. I needed him, but daddy departed prematurely. O, my dear children. May you realize how blessed and fortunate you are to have a father, even in your adult years. May you honor him, respect him, and seek his counsel. O, dear children. Make the best of him while you have him by your sides. Learn from his wisdom as long as God gives him to you. From him, there is much to be gained. So, pick his brain, but cause him no pain. Keep running the race that he has initiated, and be ready to accept the baton when he passes it to you. The end is not yet within sight. The flame of the torch is still burning bright; and its light is nowhere near going out. Moreover, you must pay close attention; because there is a prize upon which you must keep your eyes. You must understand that when the baton is finally passed, I will have done my very best. And I will be depending on you for all the rest. 05112010. Posted on PS 12012016. Contest entry, A BRIAN STRAND PREMIERE CHOICE. Brian Strand