The advice I leave here for my future great-grandchildren is the same I'd give to my children and grandchildren if they were to ask me.
First things first:
1. Make the Lord our God your No. 1. Know Him personally, accept Him, pray to Him, and worship Him. I regularly pray for all of you. When I hear the 2020 song “The Blessing” by Elevation Church Worship, I cry every time. The lyrics speak to my soul. If you don’t know it, look it up on YouTube.
2. Be loyal to the United States of America. Specifically, show your allegiance to our flag and national anthem. Never, ever disrespect our flag or the national anthem; many people bled and died for it. Be grateful to our servicemen and women, and honor them in every way you can. If you can serve our country in the armed forces or another way, please do. Vote every time.
3. Dedicate yourself to our family. My elders and yours leave a long legacy for you. Celebrate our wonderful family members, especially your parents and grandparents, but also aunts, uncles, and cousins. Always help each other when you can. We have some great traditions, like taking a family photo every Thanksgiving Day and making old family recipes. I hope you continue those but also make some of your own for your family. Stick up for each other!
4. Make lasting friendships. Be there for them and support them, encourage them. Share yourself with those you can trust. You can be there for each other over the years.
5. Serve others in your community. Your parents can tell you about how Pop and Grandmom as well as your own parents and grandparents served through a variety of organizations. Give generously of your time and give monetarily as you are able. Choose those organizations whose causes you are passionate about. I hope you become a Rotarian!
6. Take care of yourself, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and intellectually. When all these are in balance, you will be healthy. No one else can do this for you! Encourage each other to do this.
7. Be mindful of your values. Create what you want to be. Be honest, have integrity. This will require your thoughtfulness, but it’s worth the effort.
8. Choose worthwhile work that fits your gifts, and do it with excellence. I am teased a bit by your parents for my “pickiness”—that’s what they call it when I do something “perfectly.” Make your bed every day, and do it well! Try to bring your best effort to everything you do.
9. Be careful of your money. Do your very best to avoid debt—it is truly a millstone. This requires you to live within your means, so have a budget that covers your expenses, gives you a chance to save, and provides some opportunity to give. Understand the difference between getting the least cost and the greatest value.
10. Have fun!
Deborah M. Bowen, North Carolina
__________________
