Have A Spine

Dear Gabriel,

One of my favorite things to do is have intelligent conversation with people. It is so rare anymore that anyone has a spine to actually stick up for what they believe in. I love that. Too many people around me don't want to 'offend' or they want to be politically correct about EVERYTHING. It becomes over kill. In my opinion, our society is missing the mark on so many things simply because we don't want to offend.

Don't get me wrong. I think being polite and respectful is important, but not to the extent to be spineless. I had some great conversation today at a book discussion that was wonderful because the people there had spines to stick up for what they believed. Whether or not I agreed was irrelevant (because there were many things said I didn't necessarily agree with, and we had great debates...). I want to be surrounded by courageous men and women, who will respectfully stick up for what they believe.

I hope you will know me and other's will know me as someone with a spine. That is definitely something I want to leave as a legacy...Always respectful, but a woman who stood up for what I believed in with my chin held high at the same time.

I hope you will be that kind of man. Always respectful... but have a spine!

I love you,

Your Mom