Boy
My boy I want you to grow up strong someday just like your dad. I want you to be caring and understanding just like your mother. Treat women with respect because if you do you will stand out among the crowd and you will find an amazing woman who will treat you just as well as you treat her. Have no regrets about anything you do. Love everyone and be kind to everyone, and give respect to people who deserve it. Surround yourself with positive people, because negative people will just bring you down. Son I want you to be whoever you want to be and grow up to succeed more then I could have ever done. Listen to your mom and I but dad you tell me I can't do stuff sometimes! I know son my parents did the exact same thing and I didn't understand why until I was older and they only did it because they loved me and wanted what was best for me. So go to the world with your head lifted high and take on any challenge that it throws at you I know you can do it, and even if you fail sometimes your mother and I will still be there to help you back on your feet.
It's interesting that, in your version, the advice is more philosophical. Notice how, in Kincaid's version, the adult gives advice on how to do things (cooking, cleaning, social graces, etc.). In your version, we at least have a sense of what is motivating the advice, whereas in Kincaid's, we aren't sure why the adult is so concerned that her daughter does things the right way.
ReplyDelete"but dad you tell me I can't do stuff sometimes!"
ReplyDelete"I know son my parents did the exact same thing and I didn't understand why until I was older and they only did it because they loved me and wanted what was best for me."
Man, if I had understood this the way I do now (at age 25) when I was 15, I would have had a very different life. I'd probably be working on my PhD by now. I was a jerk to my parents as a teen and I refused to acknowledge that they were only trying to help me. I feel bad about it, but I try to make it up now by being a better son. Your response is written well and very relatable. Good job.