Dear Miller,
Happy birthday #1. Already you have gone from baby to boy. And it will not be long before you are a man.
My guess is that you are not even aware at this point that you share a birthday with the 18th president of the United States – Ulysses S. Grant. Of course he was born way back in 1822 so you are not really expected to know this. Even though he was born almost 200 years ago there are a few lessons to be learned from his life. He had 2 major virtues and 2 major vices that greatly impacted his life.
The Vices
#1 – The man loved his cigars. It is said that he smoked about 20 cigars a day. He was 62 years old when he died… of throat cancer – because of all the smoking he did. And it started because a friend of his just casually offered him a cigar one day. My Pop Pop advice is this – never never never smoke anything at any time. Not only will it kill you but it is also an incredible waste of money.
#2 – He had a strong desire for alcohol – There is some debate as to whether he was an alcoholic but there is no debate as to the struggle he dealt with. It seems that he was able to refrain when he wanted to and did not let it interfere with his decision making but struggled nonetheless throughout his life. My Pop Pop advice is this – stay away from alcohol because it could become a demon in your life that you will always regret and will always haunt you.
The Virtues
#1 – He was a courageous leader. Before Ulysses S. Grant assumed command of the Union army, it would venture south into Confederate territory, suffer a defeat, then withdraw northward to conduct endless marching drills. That all changed in 1864 when Lincoln put Grant in charge. Grant resolved to lead his troops forward and to continue moving south, even when it was costly. His firm leadership paid off. In April of 1865, just a little more than a year from when he took command, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant at the McLean House in Appomattox Court House, Virginia. It took a leader with courage to win the war.
#2 – He was committed to his family . Here is one example that proved fateful. Grant was invited to join Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre on the evening of April 14, 1865, but declined after he and his wife made plans to visit their children in New Jersey. He was informed of the President’s assassination when his train stopped later that night. He regretted not being at the president’s side, thinking he possibly could have thwarted the assassination. But his family was more important to him than even an invitation from POTUS.
To sum up these two virtues: Be a leader who leads courageously and love your family sacrificially. And here are a few great verses to ponder from Joshua 1:8-9:
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Never ever forget that you are very loved!
Pop Pop
