We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meatloaf sandwiches. I really would. My cherished grandson, I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen. I hope you have a job by then. It will be good if at least one time you can see a baby calf born and your old dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.. I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.. When you want to see a Disney movie and your little brother wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him.. I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.. On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope your driver doesn't have to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your mom.. If you want a slingshot, I hope your dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.. I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.. When you learn to use those newfangled computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.. I hope you get razzed by your friends when you have your first crush on a girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what Ivory soap tastes like.. May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on the stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.. I hope you get sick when someone blows cigar smoke in your face.. If a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.. I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandpa and go fishing with your uncle.. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and the joy of friendships long lasting.. I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through a neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you when you give her a plaster of Paris mold of your hand.. These things I wish for you -- tough times and disappointments, hard work and happiness.