Letters From a Father to a Son

When my father was in the navy, he would often correspond with my grandfather through letters. Fortunately, my grandfather saved these letters and I have been able to read many of them. They provide insights into my father’s life aboard ship. Likewise, they are snapshots of events that were taking place around the world at the time. For instance, in one letter, the death of a local man is mentioned. This man was killed while serving in the Vietnam War. I believe my dad knew the fallen soldier, as they had been in school together. These are the ties that bind those of us that live in small towns.

This morning I spent a lot of time thinking about these ties. My wife and I adopted a child. On December 29, 2019, Hudson came to us when he was three-days old. His birth parents were unable to properly care for him. We welcomed this little boy into our lives. From the very beginning he was our child. We love him as if he is our flesh and blood. His enthusiam for life is both refreshing and exhausting.

Hudson is a boy after my own heart. He loves cars and trucks, watching tv, and playing outside. I cannot wait to share experiences with him as he grows and matures. I want to take him to his first baseball game. Hopefully, I will have more time with him than I did with my own father. I want him to know who I am while I am here. He is my son and I am proud to be his father. He may only be four years old, but I know he has the potential to do great things. I will be here to encourage him as best I can. My hope is that he grows up to respect me as my father respected his father.

It was a blessing to Amanda and I to have both of our families with us this morning as Hudson legally became our son. I wish my father could have been there. I know he would have been proud. However, a piece of him was there as he was not far from my mind. It is often said that the “Lord works in mysterious ways.” Hudson, I believe is a gift from God.

His story was already beginning to be told in those letters between my father and grandfather. For you see, the fallen soldier mentioned in those letters, was Hudson’s great uncle. The letters from a father to a son written in the 1960’s live on today through my son.