Dear Amon,

One day, if you have the blessing of being a father, you will also know how exciting it is to watch your child unfold from a little baby and into a toddler and then little boy.   The changes and awakenings of a little mind and heart are the most precious gifts I have every received in my life.

I also find myself wondering who you will be 6 and 8 and 16 and 26.    What kind of man will you become.  I wonder if the kindness and loyal nature of your grandfather Duke or your great grandfather Lewis Briscoe Barber will be passed down to you.   Yesterday, Dindy used the expression “the milk of human kindness.”   While I had heard this phrase before, and most likely from Dindy’s mother, I was not sure where it came from.  The answer is Macbeth.

“Yet do I fear thy nature, It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness. To catch the nearest way.”  Macbeth 1.v.

Above worldly success, my hope for you my dear little man, is that compassion and benevolence will always be your best qualities.    I hope as you father I am able to help guide you into that path.

Love,

Dad