The last post I wrote was over a
year ago and I had great plans to write all of the things I wanted Cater to
know. We got busy living our life and I
wasted more time not teaching him all the lessons I wanted him to learn. Don't get me wrong, I taught him many lessons
over that time. What I didn't do is put
them down where I said I was going to. I
didn't write the lessons and give a reason for each. If I would have, I would have been able to a
better job of getting my point across.
What I learned a long time ago is you can only teach what first you
understand. I thought I understood
everything I wanted him to know but all I really did was just write it
down. Do I understand them all now, no? I hope that will come with time and more understanding as I am writing. After reading through the list, it
might be a little over the head of an 8 year old. That is okay, he will have this when he is 9,
10, 11...
I also realized I have not told you
anything about me. I am 37, married and
have two kids. I'm sure you’re thinking,
if you have two kids, why only Things I Want Carter to Know? Truth is, when I look in the mirror at myself
at 8, I see Carter. Don't get me wrong,
he is way better looking than I was. He
is a funnier and much smarter too. I am
not saying anything bad about myself, he is just better. Where we are similar is how we handle
things. I want his life to be easier
than mine; just as I'm sure my father wanted my life to be easier than
his. I'm sure I will have Things I Want
Cameron to know too. Most will be the
same things but there will be differences.
When I am done with this I will get started on that project.
On to the first lesson:
1. Life is not fair and it never will be.
I thought this is a great lesson to
start with. When this process first
started in my mind this was where it came from.
I was yelling at Carter and he was complaining about fairness. What I did next my father had done to me
numerous times. I yelled back, "Life isn't fair". By the way, you will learn by reading this, I
yell a lot.
What I was trying to say is fairness
is not something that is given. You
don't get fair when you are born. If you
did, we would all be born poor or with silver spoons. We would all be born white or black. What I am saying is you are not born with
fair and you don't die with fair. You
get what you get and the rest you make for yourself, except that which is given
to you. I want him to see he should
always work harder to get what he wants not wait around for it. Some things will be given to him and
something won't. Hey, "Life isn't
fair."
