“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey.

As the title and quote imply, this letter is about a celebration. I am celebrating us. I am celebrating our “kindred affinity”. I am celebrating our “shared beliefs”. We are all “kin”, not just because the fact that I am your father, and you are all brothers, but because we are all connected by our love for each other, our affinity, our empathy, and our bondedness. This is worthy of great celebration, and I am here to sound the trumpets. I also wish to celebrate our many shared beliefs.

 “The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” – Richard Bach

I believe, there is no higher satisfaction in life than raising children who are eager to spend time with you, laugh with you, share their experiences with you, and resolve life’s challenges with you. When we are close to those we love, we love them even when they irritate us, anger us, or disappoint us. We still care about them despite how they make us feel—whether that’s pride, anger, or annoyance.

“When people are brought together, even if they have different beliefs or opinions, they can find common ground and connect with each other on a deeper level.” – Dalai Lama

Finding common ground requires listening to each other, sharing from your heart and from your beliefs, and expressing your opinions. Sharing beliefs and values are the foundation of any successful relationship. We can develop a sense of connection and belonging when we share our beliefs with others, and these things are crucial for our happiness and well-being. However, sharing those beliefs is a risk, and trust is developed, deepening the relationship if the listener responds with respect and understanding, even if there is a difference in opinions. The relationship between the parties is strengthened by this thoughtful discourse.

“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.” – Rachel Naomi Remen

To prove to you that I am paying attention, I’ll include that quote. I’ll end this letter here for the time being to keep things brief (just one page long). Part 2 will follow.