Dear Relative,
In my reclining years, I spend many hours in solitude. Thanks to a generous God, I’ve maintained, to a reasonable degree, my thinking processes. Often, I sit quietly with memories, some pleasant, some not so, running through my mind. at such times, in my limited capacity, I’m inclined to philosophize. The subject most often is the family. My family comes to focus and I sometimes think of other families I’ve known in these eight decades.
I think of my little brothers and sister, my playmates and school mates. Then I realize how the years decimate friendships and families.
The much used phrase “blood is thicker than water” is directly applicable to families and it strikes me forcefully with the necessity of keeping family ties tightly bound. Most of what I am writing will fall on some deaf ears, but, they more than others should reflect on the dire need to maintain filial, brotherly and sisterly love. It may be your brother who offended your but you must remember that the Lord insists we love our enemies. We must forgive and forget past hurts. We had a good example in the Bible. We all remember reading or being told about the prodigal son returning home.
When one spends most of the time alone, one realizes that the few years that may remain are still brief in the life span. At such times the realization of maintaining family unity is absolutely basic.
These lines are not directed to any one individually. However, if any one whether brother, sister, nephew, niece or other relative finds the need to destroy the seed of animosity of bad feeling of one to another, then my effort is not in vain.
For the skeptics who may question my sanity in writing this letter, rest assured, and my doctor can confirm, I am still of sound mind. I am not senile.
If it were possible, I would like to return thirty, forty and fifty years from now to see the tranquil, contented, happy faces of those who will have adhered to my advice to maintain family unity.
Hope you will attain a ripe, old age in good health. I pray it will be shared with your loved ones. Mature years can be joyful even in failing health.
Sincerely and with Love, I remain
John A. Paterno
(signature 8/19/86)
THE END
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