Letter

Em,
I am so proud of you and I know that if your mother was there to watch you graduate, she would be overflowing with pride as well. Now that you are going off to college in just a few months, I would just like to remind you that education is the key to success in this world. However you classify success (material, financial, personal growth), education is what opens the doors to a brighter future. That being said, emphasis should be put on your education rather than your social life. I'm not saying that your social life is not important but, when it comes to decision making, education should come first. You aren't paying thousands of dollars to smoke joints and chill out with your friends. You are going to college to expand your breadth of knowledge to better yourself. Oh and that reminds me, if there is one thing that life has taught me over and over again, it's that there are never any good stories that come from the use of drugs. My brother being the prime example, a heroin addict, who's addiction eventually led to his death. Len Bias! Signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Celtics, dies that night from cocaine. I know you're smart but these are just reminders. You shouldn't let experimentation get the best of you. The only experiments I want you conducting are in a science lab, okay? I know you are a big hippy-dippy but use that to fight Monsanto and Halliburton. Not smoke pot and do drugs. I love you and you are very bright girl so I want you to continue to make good decisions when I send you off on your own. I know that there are big things ahead Em.

Dad