dear pratt.

dear pratt,

i promised when i first got pregnant, that i wouldn't ever be the mother who became verbal about how i wanted you to be when you grew up. i promised i wouldn't tell you where to go to college...or what career you should choose. i promised i would let you do those things.

guidance, yes...i will give. and i'll even give you my opinion. but you won't have to use it. and you won't have to feel like i'll be disappointed if you don't take my advice.

there's just one thing...well, probably more than one. but this morning, i thought of just one thing i'll ask.

please read the newspaper. and watch the news on tv. just don't let the internet be the only source of news information you get. because it's watered down. and not the complete story. and it's the easy way out. it's the "new" thing. and i hate "new" things.

there is something so refreshing, so clean...so awesome about pulling a newspaper out of a yellow bag. opening it up. unfolding it from its trifold. for the FIRST time. i love it.

when i was in college, i worked in the science building. i would bring the newspaper to work. leave it on my desk. and dr. knight would get it, open it...and shuffle all the pages together. get the sections out of their alphabetical order. i would go nuts. and he would step back and laugh. one day you'll appreciate the order of the newspaper. and much like me and your dad...you'll try to keep it in it's original order. i mean, you don't really have a choice. your dad is the most ocd person i've ever met.

so, sit down at the breakfast table. get a cup of coffee. or if you're under fifteen, how about orange juice or chocolate milk. and a muffin. or a poptart. those are always good too. and don't use the excuse, "i just don't have time." yes, you do. make time.

sit down and read. every inch of it. even the funny pages. you can even read those first...

i love you. and i can't wait to see you love to read as much as i love to read. and that's all i'll ask of you...

love you.