January 9, 2014
Nick, you turned 29 today. It's sobering, having my youngest son almost 30. It's also gratifying.
You are a fine young man, Nick. No, we don't agree on everything, not even on everything important. But that's ok.
You are my son and I love you. Heh, I even like you, which is not something every father can say to his son.
I am proud of the way you care about important stuff, like social justice and good government and putting people ahead of corporations.
I am proud that you are in the middle of social activism in Rochester.
I am proud that you are a Linux and Free Software geek and that you probably know even more about it than I do. KDE rules.
I am proud of the way you handled watching your developmentally-delayed older brother Rob become your younger brother. That was a tough one, and still is, methinks, but you made it.
I am proud that you and Lanse count each other among your favorite people. Ten years can be a difficult age difference to deal with.
I am proud that you treat your mother royally.
I am proud of the way you conducted yourself as you lived in our house as an adult, helping out and chipping in.
I am proud that you and your housemates are now out on your own, and that you can still come home to do you laundry.
I am proud that you introduced me to good beer, even if you prefer hard cider yourself.
There's a lot more I could say, but that'll do for starters.
I love you.
Dad
