Certificate of Appreciation

Family, 

I would like to announce my appreciation of the following fact, which oft I dwell upon with furrowed brow, eyes wide to the darkness of my sleepless room. The truth must out!

Of all of the people I know in my generation and count among my friends from every era of my life from pre-school to graduate school to this very year and month and day there are only a few who have graduated from college, still fewer who did so without many setbacks and struggles, and still fewer who used their education to make or participate in anything outside of a paper or a test. 

Of all these many and various souls there are but a few now who have found stable committed relationships, a very few who are married, and still fewer who have marked many joyous anniversaries with perfect felicity.

Of everyone I know who I call my peer I've come across almost none who have built a nest of skills and relationships fit to contain a child, still fewer have conjured the courage to summon forth a babe, and be unto it as a Mother or Father.

Of every child of the 80s and 90s with whom I am closely acquainted I know nearly none who have found gainful employment at which they excel and improve, and still fewer who work in a field that engages their creativity, and still fewer whose work has clear purpose and social value beyond themselves. 

And of these few who have found success in these ways, I know but one - one and one only - who has found all four - all four blue corners of this blue four square of young success. 

Long have I admired, and long shall I admire a role model for any wayward youth:

My brother Tom

Take not for granted his brave example - nor let thine eye wander from the narrow road. 

Love,

Barry