Perseverance

Gerard,
You're our eldest. You will go through more hardship and struggle than Aubrey. And that's okay. We will challenge you and drill you. But in the end, you will be a smarter and stronger person. We will learn from you, and Aubrey will benefit from you.

Don't be hard on your shortfalls. Just remember to keep facing them, keep failing, and keep trying. That's perseverance. I am behind you and will continue to support you, forever.

Love you,
mom

Mm Hmm Aubrey

At dinner, as I sat with the computer and Aubrey at the table, she was saying things. My responses must have been "mm hmm, mm hmm" and then she asked "May I have some water?" I said, "yes of course!" and got up. She comments that she thought I wasn't listening because I only kept saying "mm hmm"