January 18, 2009
Dear Grandson,
Thank you for the telephone call this evening, those little things mean so much to this grandpa. I was somewhat surprised that you didn’t know what the inauguration was all about on Tuesday. I wish that when I was your age my parents would have insisted that I become aware of what is happening in the outside world, outside the family . It never happened because my parents were satisfied to raise a child so sheltered. Growing up is so much more than just having fun, although fun is fun!
The age of twelve is a very important moment in each of our lives. In the Jewish religion and community this age marks the age of accountability, when a boy or girl begins learning how to make decisions. The Christian faith is very similar. The accountability part has to do with the results of these decisions, good or not so good. At twelve your parents will not turn you loose to do whatever you wish but they will slowly allow you to experiment with freedom. This privilege will be a learning process, a testing process that should not be exploited beyond your parents wishes, of course you know that to be true.
Barack O’Bama is the 44th president of these United States beginning at noon on Tuesday when he repeats the oath of office. The black experience in America has been a significant part of your grandpa’s life and for a black man to be my president is a happening beyond my dreams for fairness among the peoples of this country. Tuesday the 20th of January 2009 is going to be a big day, even if you don’t receive this letter until a few days after the celebration. Please store the memory so that it can be a big part of your life too.
Prejudice is a hateful attitude toward others that should be embarrassing to we humans but is so very common. Do you remember the movie we saw about the debaters? They were black and we experienced their pain through that movie. The black man’s journey toward freedom is a truly inspiring story. May I make a request?
Ask your parents to subscribe to your local newspaper. If you promise to read a few articles everyday from it’s pages, be it news, sports or comics, I will pay the bill. A deal like that surely will be accepted! This is one small way of becoming aware of the happenings in the city of Kingman, the state of Arizona and the country as a whole.
It could also be helpful as you discover the good decisions, those that will help you through the teen years toward full manhood.
Again, thank you for being one of my grandsons, of whom I am very proud.
Sincerely,
G. Goslaw
