What I want

These two little angels that God, himself, blessed me with are my whole world.  These two mean more to me than life itself.  It is really hard to explain, but every thing I do, I do for these two little monsters.  I'm sure all the parents out there know what I mean, but no course of action that hurts these guys is a suitable course of action.

That established, what do I want?  I want them to be able to grow up in the same America I grew up in.  I want them to know that hard work is the way to get what you want, but when neighbors need help, you help, no matter what.  I want them to understand that a wage is a wage, and the only way to earn it is hard work.  The way I worked hard for a neighbor, picking produce for a meager wage  (but I was darn proud to get it) when I wasn't old enough to legally earn the minimum wage, but at the same time, if he needed help with something, we'd be down there helping out.  Just neighbors helping neighbors.

I want them to understand that there is nothing they can't do if they are willing to put themselves out there and work hard for it.  That they can be a starter on the sports team, even if they aren't the most physically talented, because they are willing to work harder with what they have.  That they can be an A+ student and captain of the scholars bowl team because they are willing to study harder than the other kids.  That they can go to the university they want to go to, and not the second best choice, because they can find a way to reach their dream, and if that university is Auburn, that's OK too if their dream is to be an architect or a chicken farmer (sorry, couldn't resist that).

I also want them to understand the simple things in life.  I want them to be able to go into the woods on their own land and listen, and watch, and find a squirrel or rabbit, and shoot it with their own .22 rifle, bring it home, skin it out, and eat it.  I want them to know that death is part of life and that death supports life and that's why God gave humans providence over the animals.  I want them to bait their own hook and clean their own fish.

I want them to understand that people are what matter.  The IPhone may connect you and make things much more convenient, but it connects you to people and the people are what matter.  The old lady that lives down the road, and still dials the phone, also matters because she is a person and a child of God.

I want them to be self sufficient, not relying on any other man, or the government, for their own well being.  I want them to be able to plant their own food, harvest their own game, make their own living, and make their own way in life without taking from others, but always willing to give to others who truly need their help.  

Most importantly, I want them to know God.  God, who gave us all life and has blessed us with all our gifts.  I want them to know and serve him, because that is the only way to eternal life.