My Dearest Olivia,
Perhaps by the time you understand the meaning of "someone was born with a silver spoon in her mouth", you might not think that you were born that way. Yes, at the time of your birth your parents were not rich enough to afford giving you luxury items that money could buy, but they have given you all their love and care that no money could ever guarantee. Being born into a wealthy family is not necessarily a true blessing, but having loving and caring parents is certainly a precious gift from above.
You were lucky enough to be born at a time of peace in an affluent society. On the contrary, I was a war time baby, born in enemy occupied territory. Nevertheless I have no complaints, because it was a blessing in disguise. Only under such poor circumstances of extreme suffering, poverty and hardship would parental love shine out even more. Despite the lack of material provisions my parents took good care of me and provided me with all I needed to survive and grow up to be the person I am. When the war was over my father had no choice but to leave home and his loved ones to seek jobs in another city. My mom was left alone to shoulder most of the responsibilities of looking after me, a not very healthy baby, day and night. She suffered from so many scary incidents like having to rush me to emergency, and worrying about the shortage of medical care that was required to save my life. They seldom told me what they went through, I only learn about the details not long ago when my mother handed me a bunch of old correspondence between them during that period. I read those letters that were already turning yellow with age, discovering how great parental love could be.
For all those I owe them so much that there is hardly anything I could do to repay them, except to become the same loving and caring parent myself. However, my challenge was much less severe, as your Dad and uncles were not born in such difficult times. Anyway, I am happy that your Dad has inherited what we value in our family - to love and care for our children.
So one day, my dearest Olivia, when you become a mother, it is your turn to demonstrate that you too have inherited this good tradition of our family.
Love always,
Grandpa
