Jan. 10, 2012.

Jordan this is probably the most important letter I will ever write-to you or anyone. Now that you are in your last year of high school you have decisions to make that will influence the rest of your life. The decisions are more critical because of the timing, i.e. the leverage of the years that you will benefit from what you decide. The critical issue is whether you go to college after high school. The answer is, without any doubt, it would be to your great advantage to get a college education. You have the natural intelligence, you have a quick mind, you have a joy of learning and discovery and you have good social skills. These qualities are the foundations which are built on/developed at college. What you will learn will help you make better decisions throughout your life, develop your social networks and give you flexibility to choose from more interesting and rewarding work opportunities throughout your life. The process will also help you develop disciplines in study which can be applied to any project you embark on for the rest of your life. You don't have to worry about which degree or specialty you are going to pursue-you can develop that with good guidance. A degree, regardless of the subject, carries its own weight and will always be recognized by an employer or people you associate with.

This letter is intended to further the dialogue that we have had on this subject. When we went to Queen's University this year and spoke to various students you could tell how passionate they were about their studies. This is not because they were strictly academics, it was because they were learning, and that is exciting and rewarding. They were learning about how the 'world' works and how they can adapt to it, using their talents in their field of interest. If they change their area of studies later, the skills and disciplines will still be applicable, regardless of the subject matter. University graduates get far more job opportunities and higher levels of incomes than persons with only a high school education. You will develop friendships at univesity that will last your lifetime.

Your challenge is to get your marks as high as you can this year. Do summer school if you have to. Good marks have a double benefit. You will learn how to research and study and also develop disciplines that can be used for anything you apply yourself to. You can't loose by applying yourself to your studies. I suggest you find a mentor in your school that will assist you in the process of looking for scholarships. There are many foundations that provide free or assisted tuition for students that have been disadvantaged because of their life circumstances. You may need to put some time in researching this area-start the process! It is hard to make decisions without sufficient information. Gather as much information as you can on the subject. If you feel overwhelmed or lack the motivation find someone/people to talk to. Make it a part time job to do the work to find out as much as you can and start the paperwork. The pay-off will come later. Don't hesitate to text me to discuss. I will call you back from my end. Reach out, reach up.

Love G,pa Fred

Wednesday Sept. 19, 2007

Dear Jordy:

I am sorry that I didn't get down to Florida in the summer this year and be with you on your first day at school. I really missed spending some time with you but hope that I can make it down later this year or you can visit me. I decided to go back to the cottage for a number of reasons. I have to get my ear operated again and decided to get a medical checkup before more damage is done.

I traveled as far as Maine and then went back to Canada through New Hampshire and Vermont. When in NH I visited Paul and went on a great hike with her and her friend Bill. You can read about my trip their on my journal page. Paula would like you to come for a visit. She lives on a huge lake that is surrounded by small mountains.

I hope one day we can go hiking in Acadia National Park together in Maine. There are lots of ladder hikes, which is where the rock face is so steep that steel ladders are embedded in the rock face for short sections to help the climbers get up.

Congratulations on being selected to play on a football team. Look forward to talking to you about the position you are playing and what you have to do in training.

I bought an old science book that I am going to give you when we get together. It has a lot of neat experiments that we can do together. You may have already done some them at school. Some are like the one you showed me with the soda to propel a projectile.

I hear that your Dad is moving again. I think he is trying to match my record. When I came to Canada I moved 32 times in fours years. Then I lived in the same house on Maybourne Avenue for 28 years. I hope you enjoy your new place and that one day your Dad buys another house - maybe the one he is moving to?

I thought of you a lot after we met at Jason's wedding. I was very proud of you and the way that you fitted so well into all the functions, and the way that you got on so well with all the people that you met. And, you absolutely amazed me with your singing at the Kareoke. So now I have to learn to sing to keep up with you.

Remember the challenge I gave you; that I will be able to beat in a running race even as you get older. I still keep in good shape swimming and cycling, although I am not running as much. You will have to give me your times so that I know what target I have to keep ahead of.

That's it for now. Big hugs, Grandpa Fred.