Henry,
You are 35 weeks and 3 days today. You sleep all day and only wake up to eat. You grunt when you are hungry and cry when your diaper is full. But your mother and I are grateful that you are here with us.
I do not know if you would still remember the dreams you were having by the time you were reading this. If you do, please do tell us. We are fascinated by the micro expression on your face during your long and endless naps.
It is hard to tell your temperament when you are so little. But I do wish you had a strong and playful soul. At this moment, there are only a couple of things that I desperately want you to know.
Health
Son, you were born 2 months before you were supposed to. You even at this little age still manage to scare your old man. I hope this is the first and last health scare you will ever give us. I hope you understand the value of good health early and know that being healthy is how you can repay your mother and me.
Curiosity
Son, when you are reading this, you will be in a period of your life where everything is new. Everything you do will be the first time you are doing it. I want you to cherish that and never forget just how scary it is to try something for the first time and how fearless you need to be to try that regardless of the fear. Just to know, that stomach-wrenching sensation that prevents you from wondering; experiencing; and discovering who you are and where you are is always going to be there. But Son, be curious. Do not be satisfied with how things are the way they are. Tradition is the experience of trials and errors of the man that come before you. Just because they are on this planet longer than you are, does not mean the way they perceive reality is universally true. Be curious and be fearless. A mind rusts when it stays idle.
Enjoy
Son, very soon after this letter, you will see me starting to teach you the value of responsibility and hard work. Sometimes this means that you would have to do hard things, impossible things. Your father did not learn the meaning of becoming a man until I realized that I do not only live just for myself. You, your mother, your grandmother, and any other family member that comes after you are my responsibility. It is my job and duty to ensure you are safe. This is a responsibility that you will also have to bear when the time is right.
But before that moment, enjoy the beauty of life. It is so rare in life to have moments where happiness is pure; where good news does not come with a plot twist; where laughter has no additional meaning than simple joy itself. It is a moment that your father, I, missed to cherish. I do not want you to lose that opportunity and I do not want you to grow up too fast. Promise me, son. You will enjoy these moments; you will not worry about trivial things that become even smaller in the span of a lifetime.
I love you, Son and I cannot wait to meet the man you will become.
