Memories

Hello Dear Sons,

So glad you were home for Christmas, we are always glad to see you.

I had the privilege of staying home to raise you (much to the chagrin of my educated peers who wondered at my making such a domestic choice) so you will recall a cliche’ thought up and often used on you while you were growing up – “I’d rather have a bad day with you than a good day with someone else”.  May God grant that you have children someday so that you will REALLY know how that originated from my heart and soul about our time together. So many precious hours of growing… yet now that stage is past.

Wanted to talk with you about why I decided to give you books for Christmas.  I know we could have gone with something more fun (though the cash we gave you counts for something there) but I want you to have a book to hold in your hands because we spent so many hours engaged in reading when you were smaller.  Those are some of the best moments of your childhood for me – as we explored the wonders of the mind.  We focused, we imagined, we discussed, we had to really THINK; that was the tremendous gift that literature gave you.

But now, there is the internet.  Instant messaging, flashing images, stimulation, always the immediate sensory stimulation…I understand the attraction, but I am repelled by the media and its message at the same time.  What is this doing to our brains?  What is happening to our souls?  I know more about the internet than I wish I did.  I wonder if I’m a better person for it.

Am impressed by the people who write, the sites I check for news, the videos, both artistic and informative that I am able to download… and yet it is fearsome, the amount of time that can be wasted on the computer.  And it’s against such, that I wish to warn you.

You have all chosen fields of study and ultimately places of employment, that implement electronic media.  Please, I plead with you, PLEASE take the time to shut it off and just read and think each day.

Read the Bible, look at GOOD books, force your mind to include the writings of great thinkers and the compositions of great musicians.  Not just pleasant, but GREAT.  It’s all available on the net? But it’s not the same. As Lutherans you know the power of a solid medium, like liturgy in worship for example, to deliver a quieter, deeper, stronger, even eternal  message.  That’s what I am concerned about.  That you still continue to pour over messages with a deeper meaning.

Please do that.  It is my hope and prayer that as you do, you will remind others to do it too.  And someday, if and when you have children, they will also share that ability and opportunity.  Good learning is always just one generation away from being lost.  I remind you, you must not lose it; we  teach our children, but as we work with them, we are teaching our grandchildren.  That matters.  That is how we pass the best we have and are, on.

Blessings, peace, power and joy through Christ be with you.

Take care, I love you,

Mom.