A Letter to My Nephew

Dear Nathan:

I think the fact that I planned to write this letter when you were born, and the fact that you are now over two years old speaks to my level of procrastination on some things.

Nathan, when I found out that you were going to be a little boy, all I could think of was what amazing ancestors you have.  The men who came before you are some of the best I've ever met.  You are incredibly blessed.

 

 

Nathan, when your parents were married in the temple, I told your mother that she was very lucky, and that she had no idea just yet how lucky she is.  I had expressed this same sentiment to my grandparents weeks earlier - of just how helpful he is and how lucky your mother would be.  My grandparents said - yes, when we needed help cleaning, guess who was here, Vince! Certainly, your father is not perfect, but he is a sweet heart, and a helpful person.  Having known him quite literally his entire life, I like to think I have an inside scoop on the caliber of person he is.  At the point that I told your mother that she had no idea how lucky she is, she had only dated him, but she was not yet acquainted with the side of him that would get up in the middle of the night to help her with you and your future siblings.  She did not yet fully comprehend all of the ways that he would sacrifice for the family that they would likely have together. 

Nathan, you will be acquainted with that kindness, but like most people, you will probably not understand it until you are much older.  Your father always was a good person.  Spiritually he understood and lived the principles of the gospel.  When we were on our missions, he used to leave little notes in French around my classroom so I could find them reminding me that he loved me.  When we were in college, he always made time to see me.  When I was in law school, when he asked me how things were going, he really meant it.  If money was tight, there was, more often then not, a check in the mail.  After I was done with school, the help was generous, kind and came without ever being asked for.

You may one day wonder where he gets this from.  Well, Nathan, the apple didn't fall far from the tree; your father is much like your grandfather.  I don't know how well you will be acquainted with your grandfather in your life time.  He is a quiet man, who like your father, quietly calculates for the good of those around him.  I first came to notice this trait when I was training for a marathon.  I was on vacation with my family and your grandfather planned out my running route, bought bagels, water, and bananas, got his bike ready and rode behind me for MILES making sure I had all I needed.  I think I was most struck by his comment when my knee gave out on me.  He wished that he had thought to bring money with him to put me on a bus to get me home. 

Your grandmother always has such raving reviews of what a great husband and person your grandfather is.  Since he rarely ever talks, even with those he knows quite well, it took me years to really understand him.  I love the memories of falling asleep to the sound of your grandmother laughing as they talked each night before falling asleep.  She would always say that he never had to tell her that he loved her because she could feel it.  I truly never understood what she meant by this until he came without your grandmother to my law school graduation.  The entire weekend he talked of her and calculated for her wellbeing.  But the most remarkable thing about that weekend, is that I could feel his love for me.  It is a tangible feeling, Nathan, and I hope you have the opportunity to be personally acquainted with it.

 

Your father and grandfather have both been the biggest champions of my ambitions, and they will be the champion of yours as well. But more importantly than ambition, your grandfather is always one to remind me that my service to the Lord must come first in life.  He lives this principle.  He quietly reminds me that putting the Lord first will keep all of my ambitions in proper balance throughout my life.  Nathan, this spiritual nature along with the kindness and love is what I would wish most that you inherit from your father and grandfather.  You have a rich heritage.  You may not have been born to inherit great material wealth, but as far as quality of being - you could not have asked for much better than you have.

I hope throughout your life that you will feel of the great love that is had within our family.  You will find there is ample love for you as you grow and progress.  Most importantly we hope that you will be a good person, and the kind of brother, husband and father that your father and grandfather are.  If you do, you will find that there are many happy days to be had in both your future, and the future of those whom you will grow to love throughout your life time.

Sincerely,


Aunt Chantal