Oct

27

Vic to Aubrey, 2006:

Letter to a newborn son

The occasion of a birth is always a good time to take stock of the important things in life that a father would like to share. In your case, it's even more important, because at 62, I am the oldest father that the big Pennsylvania hospital that you were born in had ever discharged, and I am going to have to compress much of my hopes and knowledge and love for you into a few short years. Here are some of the main lessons for you that I hope to set in motion so clearly and firmly by my own example and also with practical direct applications for you while I'm alive that it will become second nature to you, and these guidelines will be useful merely for a review, but it's too late to lock the stable after the horse has been stolen, so here goes.

Part 2

You were named after two characters, Jack Aubrey, a very worthy character Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester wrote about in their series of books about the adventures of the greatest British naval captain in history, who traveled the world with great skill and overcame great danger to make the world safe for freedom; and Charles Darwin, the greatest biologist, who after a trip around the world discovered the nature of life and change. While both showed extraordinary abilities, mental and physical strength, study, science, and character — friendship, loyalty, persistence — in their quests for success, the heroic quality of Jack Aubrey is what inspired your first name.

Part 3


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