Dear Tyler,
I hope this note finds you well in Peru. Before I forget to mention, please do your big bro a favor and call and/or write... if nothing else, just to confirm that you are alive and well. Thanks :)
It's hard to articulate how proud I am of all your outstanding, remarkable, epic (I could continue with superlatives) accomplishments over this past year. As I told you before, you are the Comeback Kid of the Year... of the Decade! I believe the human spirit has the capacity to transform itself in astounding ways. However, every so often, the rare person's inner spirit comes to life in a way that is truly combustible, creative, contagious.
And without a doubt, that is you. For a young man who was almost on the bubble to even attend college... getting accepted into Johns Hopkins, serving the poor in Haiti and Peru, heading to Spain this Fall, and signing with the US Army ROTC... you have truly overcome all odds and set yourself on a course to make a real difference in the world.
Mom would be so proud. She's no doubt looking down on you today and smiling that bright-eyed smile.
Of course, you and I will forever be members of this dubious club of people that lost a parent a young, tender age. Furthermore, I will never quite appreciate how you truly feel that she happened to pass away on your birthday. I imagine that it's a sort of tough and sobering cloud lingering overhead. However, do remember that your birthday is as much your day as it was a day that Mom's unconditional love for you came to fruition 20 years ago. She chose to give you life, to love you and nurture you, and in that sense, July 16 will always be a cause for celebration. For you, for our family, and for Mom.
Life has been very, very good to us. We are blessed to have each other. We are blessed to have our needs provided for. We are blessed to have a bright future ahead.
With God's help, and much sweat and determination, we'll reach the mountaintop. I hope that you might one day realize your dream to be a great doctor. I hope that you and I see much of the world. I hope that you meet a great woman and have a family of your own to be proud of. But the journey along the way to these milestones will be the real beauty of the journey. I really believe that.
Continue to enjoy the small gestures of gratitude and love in all that you meet throughout Cuzco. Admire the way that God has painted the world-- the way the sun rises between the mountains of Cuzco in the morning, and the way civilization has so stunningly filled up within the valley of the region. Continue to take in all the sights, the sounds, the smells. Enjoy it all. It's life outside your comfort zone, and that's ironically where life ultimately becomes the most comforting.
I hope that you have a great time today, Tyler. Have a cerveza and dance the night away.
And remember to call me.
Love you very much. Su hermano guapo,
Justin
