Find Your Path, Give Back, Make Good Choices

Dear Brady,

I'd like to share something with you. Although you are probably too young to understand, one day you'll be able to look back at this blog and learn from what I am about to tell you.

One year ago today, I was getting ready to leave Andover High School for the weekend. I stopped by my friend Peter Arthur's classroom. He was busy setting up his new projection system to run his power-point presentations. Peter was always looking for ways to make his history classes interesting. He was known int he school to be one of the best teachers because he was always challenging his students to "find their path, give back, and make good choices." When I walked in, he asked me: "Hey Stackman, how's Brady doing?" "Not bad," I replied. ""He's getting so big, before I know it, he'll be crawling everywhere!" Peter replied, "Just wait until he starts walking. That's when it gets really fun, just ask my wife!" Peter had a little boy of his own, not even two years old. His name was Jeffrey. We talked about how we needed to get together again. This wekeend Peter was going to be busy, but we made some tentative plans for the following weekend. I waved goodbye, and walked out the door.

I didn't know it at the time, but that was the last time I would ever talk to Peter. By 3:00pm the next afternoon, he was gone. Peter had told his wife he was going to go upstairs to finish putting in some grades into his computer. He suffered a heart attack and died instantly. His wife found him an hour later. At 32 years of age and in great health (he was an athlete and a coach), Peter left behind the ones he loved. He also left behind a legacy for the rest of us in Andover to learn from. Later that week, two thousand people attended his funeral mass, which was held in the Collins Center at Andover High School.

On the anniversary of his passing, I'd like to share some of the things I've learned, because you never know when your time will come. Please keep these things in mind as you grow up.

1. Never say "if." Say "when". Set goals for yourself, and stick to them. I always knew I would go to college, become a school administrator, get married, and have a family of my own. I never doubted myself.

2. Don't stop dreaming. I still have dreams. I'd like to get my PhD. I'd like to build my own house. I'd like to travel around the world. When you stop dreaming, you stop living.

3. Make time for the ones you love. Tell them everyday how much they mean to you. You never know when they'll be gone.

4. Find a positive role model to inspire you. I have many. Peter is one of them. He always made time for everyone else.

5. Enjoy giving. Its much more rewarding than receiving.

6. Take chances. I learned early on that you won't get anywhere if you don't take a chance on something.

7. Learn to take everything in stride. Once you get your life going the way you want it too, you'll be able to ride out the highs and the lows without much effort on your part. I could have a very stressful job if I ever let it get to me, but I don't. I always keep an upbeat attitude no matter what comes my way.

8. Find something to be passionate about, and do everything you can to do that "something" for the rest of your life.

9. Keep laughing. You have the best laugh, and it is contageous.

10. Don't ever become a Yankees fam or a BC Eagles fan. They are both part of an "evil empire." Remember, Patriots, Sox, and Terriers forever!

I hope you will keep these things in mind as you grow up Brady. Everyday I look at you, I'm amazed.

Love Always,

Dada