Letter to Maggie

by Bob Thomas

Following is a letter from Bob Thomas to his niece, Maggie, written November, 17, 2013:

Maggie,

You probably wonder if “Old Uncle Bob” ever thinks about you….. worrying about it probably keeps you awake at  night. Well clear your mind of such negative thoughts! I think about you and Evan too much!

I worry about your happiness, (Are you happy? If not, who made you unhappy? Send me his name and address and I’ll tie his legs in knots!)

I’ve been told that both of you are outrageously successful in school so I don’t worry about that too much . . . well, not about the grades… I do want you to be happily involved and ‘connected’  to the group of your choice.

I want you both to be one of those smiling faces bouncing down the halls between classes.

In short, I want a storybook life for you both…

With that thought in mind I want to give you some sage advice that you can carry with you for the rest of your life…except I can’t really think of anything ‘cool’ to say! I really wanted to think of some earth shaking statement that would suddenly enlighten you and show you the path to follow for the rest of your life. Kinda’ like a sunbeam in a Walt Disney movie! You know, one that shines down on little bunnies and squirrels dancing around?

But, as you obviously know, that only happens in the movies. So here are a few thoughts that may help you a little bit. (You can share with Evan)

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There is nothing worth more than this day.

(Something I’ve become more aware of recently)

Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire!

(Often this is learned after many unsuccessful tries. Unfortunately success is seldom achieved on the first try, however the ‘best’ success is one that you worked for and earned. )

Believing something is possible is to make it come true.

(Look at your clarinet…all those holes, valves and buttons looked impossible to learn…didn’t they?)

Clear your mind of “Can’t”.

(There should be no “Can’t” in your life! You can do or be anything you want to be! If you want to be something bad enough, and you work hard enough then success is yours!)

My dear sweet Maggie, I just wanted you to know that you’re in my thoughts ‘almost’ all the time. (The rest of the time I’m thinking about something to eat!)

I love you,

Uncle Bob