In 1989 I was 34 and about to head overseas for 6 weeks on a Mission Exposure trip to the Philippines. It was my first extended trip away from my young family. My children were 7, 5 and 3 years of age. My wife encouraged me to write a letter to each of my children – just in case something happened. This is one of them, to my son Elliot who was just 5 years of age.
Dear Elliot,
When you were born I was in a depressed state. Your mother and I had just come back from some years of studying in Switzerland and we were not sure how we would fit in here. We seemed distant from some of our old friends and I guess we were down.
Your birth was the best thing to lift me out of depression. I remember holding you in my arms and walking around the Women’s Hospital thinking, this is the answer to my depression.
It did not take long for you to become a real daddy’s boy. Everywhere we went we needed to play cricket or football. You decided you were going to play both those sports and golf too, even though you were only 2–3 years old. You also told your kindergarten teacher that you were going to be a minister and a lawyer – like Dad. That made me very proud. Often after church on Sundays Mum would take the other two children so you and I would walk home together hand in hand, discussing your little world.
Already you have shown that you are going to be a good student. You will try anything including the school work that your big sister does. Study hard at school and be whatever you want to be. I will always be very proud of you. You have a lovely nature: smiling and friendly and like mum, but quite shy when strangers come. Learn to concentrate on tasks at hand and give it your best.
Remember that God our Father is always there for you, particularly when times are hard.
You are much loved,
Your Dad