Here is a "love letter" idea that I have myself composed for all four of my grandchildren and I notice that whenever I mention the concept in passing, people mostly seem to think it is a pretty great idea.  Naturally, that makes me wonder if it isn't something you should consider doing for anyone you care about in your own life who is quite a bit younger than you.  I phrase it this way because it certainly wouldn't have to be limited to grandchildren or even family relations. It could be for anyone you know will still be around even after you may have decided to take your leave of the premises.

Anyway, it is a simple enough idea. Simply sit down and write a love letter (letter of love, that is) to the special younger persons in your life and set it aside to be opened at some momentous date in the future. Twenty-first birthday, wedding day, birth of a first child, first guest appearance on The Tonight Show - whatever you consider an important life event. And if you are still hanging around years later, think of how much fun you will have personally giving the letter to your younger recipient.  That is to say, you won't spoil everything if you are still alive, in case that's something you could be worried about here!

You should know that I am taking an unusually light-hearted approach to this project - even by my patented loose standards - because this project truly does get pretty heavy rather quickly.  Do not ( I repeat: DO NOT! ) stop and consider what such a letter from your own beloved and now departed great grandfather (for example) would have meant to you, otherwise you'll spend the rest of the day in a maudlin state pondering the meaning of legacy and the connection of the generations of your family.  I am not saying that this is not worthwhile behavior, just that we now have work to do and you can deal with your ancestors and the connection of all living things to one another on your own time, okay?

Where was I?   Oh, yes, some sample letters.

I am hoping you won't think it too presumptuous of me to throw in a couple of sample letters just to get your creative juices flowing and to give tangible examples of the sort of thing I would have in mind on this subject.  As in everything we do together, just recognize that your own creativity is first and foremost and you should obviously only use the examples linked below on this page as stepping stones to whatever can be truly meaningful for you and your cherished ones.

Don't get morose, however, ("if only I could have seen you skin your first moose!") and attempt too much other than proper recognition of your affection for the letter recipient and your best wishes for their success in life - with or without you there to comment in person on the letter.  Okay, you're right, I am only meddling at this point.  Write whatever you want, it's your love letter.  Anyway, I was only trying to help.

I just hope these sample letters really can prove helpful to you in a tangible way. We should each of us probably write a dozen or more of such future correspondence pieces for several different kinds of occasions and all of the wonderful, deserving people in our life.  Imagine how meaningful and thoughtful that would be!

- David Douglas Ford

Letter to Son
Letter to Assistant
Letter to Granddaughter

There is nothing to write about, you say. Well then, write and let
me know just this - that there is nothing to write about; or tell me
in the good old style if you are well. That's right. I am quite well.
                               -Pliny the Younger (62 AD - 114 AD)