Dear Charlie,

Good things do indeed come in small packages. Apparently eager to delight our lives, you arrived a month early on August 28, 2009. The doctors and nurses say you were small – three pounds and thirteen ounces – yet you courageously endured many challenges these past two months. You are a handsome lad, a miracle and blessing to behold.

Much of the warmth surrounding you is the product of prayers so many have offered on your behalf. With Mom and Dad leading the way, relatives - from great-grandparents to young cousins - have been pulling for you and welcome you with open arms and loving smiles. Other friends, some of whom you may never even meet, have provided prayerful wishes for your safe delivery and good health. While you may fit in the palm of a single hand today, know that many, many hands prepared for your arrival and stand ready to support, guide and love you.

A wonderful life awaits you. Family and friends will treasure each milestone and memory. Your first step, a first word, the first day of school, first date, first job. So, stay clean and be ready to smile whenever Mom and Dad grab a camera to capture these tender moments.

Your given name is Charles James, the middle names of your two grandfathers – and in turn, their fathers. Pop Pop is proud and thankful to share one of those names with you. You will learn at a fairly young age that you will be addressed ‘Charles James’ only when you are in some form of trouble, and with your last named added when you are in big trouble. You will also soon learn that grandparents are the ones with whom you can be silly (they are prone to acting that way often in the presence of grandchildren), arrive with toys and gifts, and are most likely to answer ‘yes’ (as in response to, ‘May we have ice cream for breakfast?’). Handling temper tantrums and scolding are left to Mom and Dad. Grandparents have graduated from those tasks and now realize that ‘diaper’ spelled backwards is ‘repaid.’ Grandparents will, however, offer advice. In this category they apparently believe it is better to give than to receive. So, here goes:

• Be kind and respectful to Mom and Dad. There may come a time when you believe they ‘don’t get it.’ Pop Pop recalls thinking that about your great-grandfather a couple times and, as hard as it may be to imagine, suspects your Dad even thought that way about Pop Pop on rare occasions. We can assure you Mom and Dad always adore you and want only the best for you.

• Share your sweet heart. Everyone appreciates a kind word and helping hand. When you ‘do good’ for others you will ‘get good’ in return.

• Be careful what you throw in the toilet. An item may appear to go bye-bye, but the plumber always finds it.

• Take the high road. Give others the benefit of the doubt. Forgive and forget. Keep doors open; you never know when you may want to pass through them again.

• Pursue big dreams. When it comes to your ambitions and goals, don’t leave any ‘change on the table.’ Do bold things and do them enthusiastically.

• Don’t pull a dog’s tail or ears. It may bite. Same with siblings and cousins.

• Try again. No one does everything right every time. Find the lesson in every experience. Remember, the stars shine brightest when the sky is darkest. Pick yourself up and keep going.

• Decide to be positive, optimistic and happy. You will more fully enjoy each day and others will want to share your good nature. This attitude will also help you over the occasional speed bumps in life.

• Take time to savor each day. Life is a marathon not a sprint. Don’t hurry through childhood. Play until you drop. Be a kid.

• Green vegetables are better for you than they look. But hot biscuits with rolled Amish butter and sourwood honey? That’s eating!

• Have fun and laugh often – the sillier, the better, but never at another’s expense. Healthy laughter is sweet music to the soul.

• Relish simple gifts. Bigger isn’t always better. Although you were small when born, hundreds of hearts overflowed with joy.

• Be kind and respectful to elders, such as occasionally conceding a ‘putt outside the leather’ and explaining how new technological gadgets work. Remember, these folks paved the roads you travel.

• Actively listen. You can learn far more by carefully listening than by doing all the talking.

• Show gratitude and give thanks – to God who cares for you, to family and friends who love you, and for all the wonders surrounding you.

• Adults will offer you the chicken drumstick, suggesting you will enjoy it. Don’t fall for this trick. Tell them you are a breast man.

• Love books and learning. A passion for education is a magic carpet to a world of adventures.

• Do things right, but always do the right things.

• If you ever sneak out with the family car (which we do not recommend), do not crash it into the garage wall upon your return (as your father once did).

• Keep and honor your good name. Your family delivered it to you with pride and respect. Hold it high, enhance it and pass it on to your children.

So, little Charlie, we welcome you to a life filled with promise and pleasure, to parents who will nurture and love you every day of your life and to a family overjoyed to have you in our midst. The celebration continues. With your arrival we have won the heavenly lottery!