Dear Son,
Keeping up with my promise to write you regularly hasn’t been the easiest with everything going on around me, but every word has been worth it—and that brings me joy. Writing to you has become a quiet space for me—a time of reflection, where I find myself going inward, asking honest questions, and confronting deep thoughts. Lately, one question keeps resurfacing: If my time were up today, would I feel like I truly honored myself?
In previous letters, I’ve encouraged you to be kind, empathetic, and thoughtful toward others—values I still hold dear. But this time, I want to remind you of something equally important: don’t forget yourself in the process. Always strive to do what’s right for you, even while caring for others. This isn’t about being selfish—it’s about valuing yourself deeply. Because the truth is, you are your greatest asset. And you must learn to treat yourself as such.
Last week, I came across the story of a Georgian woman who spoke about her grandmother—someone she never got the chance to meet. Her grandmother worked two demanding jobs as a maid and a cafeteria manager while raising a family. Every day, she came home drained, often falling asleep the moment she sat down. One day, she collapsed at work from a heart attack and passed away—just before her granddaughter was born. The heartbreaking part? She had been looking forward to meeting that child more than anything. In sharing the story, the woman said her biggest life lesson from her grandmother’s journey was this: slow down and take care of yourself. And that’s exactly what she now practices—self-love—as a tribute to the grandmother who never knew she had that option.
Too often, we pour so much of ourselves into everything and everyone else that we forget to care for our own well-being. Society often glorifies romantic love or career success as the highest forms of fulfillment—but neglects the importance of loving yourself first. But here’s the truth I want you to carry always: you cannot truly give what you haven’t first given to yourself. Real love begins with you.
Self-love doesn’t mean you won’t have days of doubt or struggle. It doesn’t mean you’ll have everything figured out. But it does mean that through it all, you will treat yourself with patience, compassion, and grace. And when all is said and done—when the world is quiet, when the crowd is gone, and it’s just you—you’ll realize that you’ve always been your first home. So take care of that home. Nourish it. Rest when you need to. Chase the things that light you up. Take that course, go on that trip, do the things that make you feel alive.
“When all the noise fades, and silence surrounds you, what you’ll be left with is yourself. So take care of YOU.”
Never forget this, son—you are worth the love, time, and care you so often give to others. You’re your most important responsibility. I’ll stop here for now, but I’ll write again soon.
With all my love,
Dad