Which son are you?
Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby asks the question in his annual letter to his son:
Which son are you?
In a way, you have been all of them: You were once a bright and lively toddler, too young for questions, taking everything on faith. With speech came "simple" curiosity, along with an endless train of ingenuous questions about everything. Now, at age 12, you are becoming quite the adolescent, with a streak of "wicked" obstinacy -- quick to challenge your parents' views and to ask why their opinions should carry greater weight than yours. Then again, you have moments of wondrous maturity and good judgment, when your strong intelligence shows hints of the wise adult I hope you will become.
Which is the real you, Caleb? Are you the budding philosopher who has taken to insisting lately that "nothing really matters," since no matter what any of us does or doesn't do, the universe won't notice? Or the perennial naysayer who surprised me by saying yes when I proposed that you sign up for sailing lessons at Community Boating -- and then surprised me even more by thoroughly enjoying the experience? Are you the sarcastic kid who mocks Mama when she loses her patience with you? Or the affectionate big brother who lavishes attention on Micah? Is the authentic Caleb the sometimes sullen pre-teen with the seemingly bottomless reserve of grievance and indignation? Or the industrious helper who for the last few days has rolled up his sleeves and good-naturedly pitched in to get the house ready for Passover?
Read the full story.
1 Comment
Share This
Comments RSS Feed Reader Comments
Leave a Comment
To comment on this article, you must first be registered with JTA.
Not Registered?
There are real advantages to a FREE registration with JTA.org:
- Make your voice heard through comments on articles
- Receive our e-mailed Daily Briefing, an invaluable quick-read
- Help decide what Jewish news matters most with interactive tools
Register Now
Already a JTA member?
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
- Mark S. Devenow on After prayer and punch, Foreman takes Jewish victory lap
- M.A. Kinnaman on After prayer and punch, Foreman takes Jewish victory lap
- Steve007 on After prayer and punch, Foreman takes Jewish victory lap
- steve ariza on After prayer and punch, Foreman takes Jewish victory lap
- Lauryn on NIF on defense for 'rape' poster demonizing Israel
Stephen Folkson
04/08/09 11:46 AM
I am not an emotional person, but this letter so reminded me of my father that I had to stop and gather my thoughts for a moment. When Mr. Jacoby asks “which son are you,” he is speaking to the many facets of his son;s personality. I can vividly remember being one or two of those facets. In toto, this by far the very best communication from a father to a son that I hav ever read. My father would sum it by saying “be a mensch.” My fathger has been gone long than I care to admit, but I can still see him standing in front of me and saying “be a mensch.