Time capsule
Dear Editor,
As I was going through my brother’s letters, I came across this one from my Dad to Gary on his 16th birthday. It is a time capsule of life in the early ‘60s; what was expected of teenagers in both discipline and respect. My Dad was a very quiet man and I’m sure this was the closest thing he ever had to “the talk” with my brother. I also found the 16th birthday “present” amusing, considering what kids today expect. I had wonderful parents and I am so glad that they raised us with this sense of responsibility and personal discipline.
Kristine Hicken
Meeker
October 22, 1962
Dear Gary,
Well son, today you are sixteen years old. I know that you have been looking forward to this day for a long time, but have you been looking forward to the responsibilities that go along with it?
At 16 you are physically just about grown up. Now you will have to accept the responsibilities of an adult body. You are going to find yourself with having feelings that you may not completely understand, but one of the first adult things you must develop is patience. To be able to wait and to control yourself is a mark of manhood. A true man is patient with both himself and with others.
Although you may physically be almost an adult, you must realize that you have awhile to go before you can be grown up mentally and emotionally. You will become an adult this way only by living and gaining experience before you will think and act as an adult.
My son, as I have watched this process of growing up that you have been going through, I have seen you develop in such a way that I have confidence that you have the makings of a true man with good potential for your future. The fine things I hear about how you conduct yourself when away from home makes me very proud of you and thankful that you are developing this sense of responsibility to yourself, your home, your country and most of all to God.
As to your birthday present, though it is not large, I want to show you that I have trust in you and your good judgement to accept the responsibility that goes with the present.
I am giving you your own key to the house – remember this key protects our house and all we own from outsiders. I am giving you keys to each of the cars. You must keep in mind that this does not give you the cars, but instead the privilege to use them when your mother or I feel that you should, and only then. Abuse the privilege and you must return the keys. Accept this present and this brief letter with….All of your Father’s Love. Dad
Parents always worry
Dear Editor:
Our hearts are broken in Meeker as we mourn the loss of one high school student along with injuries to another. To these parents, families, friends, teachers we can’t say just how sorrowful we truly are.
To my own now adult children, I look back and do not regret all of our parenting oversight, driving restrictions, and helicoptering behavior. Yes, we monitored your homework, checked your grades, tried to feed you healthy foods you didn’t like, and kept a close watch all the time.
Still, we know children will always do their thing, set their own direction, modify the rules to fit them, and take risks to find themselves. It is all part of the growing process, often painful for both kids and parents.
To parents, children are our greatest gifts. You bring us joy, smiles, and youth. You demonstrate the beginnings of the fine adults you will become. You start as little sprouts who we love from day one and always ever after.
We pray that you will escape harm, be healthy and educated and make us proud. In the quest, we may have over-stepped but it was always with the best intentions.
I will never quit worrying about my children. That is love.
Kaye Sullivan
Meeker
