During a recent move, I came across a copy of a 2021 letter I’d sent to my grandchildren. According to their parents, my older grandkids, then roughly ages eight to 16, were troubled and confused by the restrictions of the Covid pandemic and the bitter political divisions evident in the 2020 presidential race.

In the first part of the letter I briefly summed up our country’s wretched situation. Then as a response to their anxiety, I shifted to the positive, aiming to bring them some good news along with a map and a compass to guide them not only through that ugly time, but into adulthood.

Below is that part of the letter, lightly edited.

As one of your mothers said to me in November, the divide between good and evil is clearer now than ever before in her lifetime, and she has a point. On one side are those sons and daughters of liberty who believe in the right to own property, pursue happiness, and go about their business with as little government and interference as possible. Like your parents, these folks practice their faith, honor their flag and country, and believe in self-reliance and the American Dream. 

On the other side are those who advocate communism and socialism. They believe America is evil, regard many Americans as ignorant, and want greater power and control over our lives. 

So the line in the sand is drawn. We know where we stand. This is a good thing. 

And there’s more good news. A friend in the publishing business wrote me after I bemoaned our current state of affairs and I paraphrase her response here: “We are living in exciting times, and we should feel privileged to be the standard bearers of freedom.” This woman nailed it: We should feel blessed to find ourselves in the thick of such a fray, warriors for truth and our country. 

And you sprouts must take up the banner. Sooner than you think, you and your peers will step onto this battlefield. Some of you may run, some may seek refuge in silence, but your parents and I expect more of you. In ways large and small, you must stand your ground and defend liberty. Sometimes the forces opposing you may seem overwhelming, but you possess one vital weapon the other side lacks: Truth. 

To prepare yourselves to defend truth, you must learn as much as you can in school: literature, English composition, mathematics, history, science, crafts, and music. Absorb these things for the same reason you take your daily vitamins. By memorizing your multiplication tables or learning how to write an essay you are readying yourselves to address deeper topics like theology, philosophy, and physics. 

Be sure, too, to read books that will someday act as your shield and buckler when you meet the dragon. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” stories teach self-reliance and independence. J. R. R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy offers lessons in persistence and courage. George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” and “1984” run up red flags warning you of the dangers ahead. Such stories enrich the mind and strengthen the heart, serving as guides and companions for the rest of your days. 

And please, gang, study history, not just in school but for the rest of your lives. So many Americans know so little of our country’s past, of the struggles and sacrifices that built this wonderful land in which we live. Immerse yourselves in history – the story of our nation, of Western civilization, of other countries. We are the sum of all those men and women who have gone before us, and when we remain ignorant of their failures and accomplishments, we live as children rather than adults. 

Make yourselves tough. Play sports, spend time outside, and run through the yard and climb trees as you did here at Thanksgiving. Become mentally and spiritually tough as well, able to take the punches of life. Face up to adversity when it comes your way, and when you’re in the right, stand fast and defend that right. To those debates and trials bring logic, reason, and compassion rather than with hyperbole and prejudice. 

Your country is going to need you. Your families and friends will require your defense. Even we who are dead by then will need you to remember, protect, and preserve our dreams for you and our nation. 

Keep the faith, grandchildren. Keep your faith in God, your country, your family and friends, and the heritage of your civilization. 

One last piece of advice: Remember to look for joy in the world. Remember the power of beauty and goodness. Look for that beauty starting right now – in a sunset, in a book, in your father’s eyes – and practice goodness, even if it’s just giving a smile to a stranger or a kind word to your mother. 

Be stars in the darkness, sweet ones. Be burning candles for faith, virtue, truth, and charity. 

With love and prayers for all of you, 

Grandpa

What I wrote then I still believe now. Whatever readers think of my letter’s philosophy, style, or advice, my hope is that you’ll write similar letters to your own offspring, your word-gift of life lessons and encouragement intended to inspire them in good times and bad.

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This article was made possible by The Fred & Rheta Skelton Center for Cultural Renewal.

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