This is a letter to my four sons, when the youngest graduated from college. I have reason to be proud: they are all college grads, all professional artists, and all good men.

TO MY SONS, MY LEGACY….

How does one 'speak' of feelings? Please indulge me while I attempt to put into words something of the fulfillment of parenthood. Perhaps you four will never understand what it means to me to have the exceedingly great joy of watching my children's steps on the road to their own success. Is it about being surprised? Impressed? Proud? Or is it simply about being overwhelmed with joy?

Yes, I think that's it. I think it is pure, unadulterated joy I am experiencing. In fact, it has been Supreme Joy from the beginning. I have had my cup full of joy, and on the occasion of my fourth son's graduation from college that cup of joy overflowed. I came to realize that true Joy has been my strength all along, as I faced the challenges of raising four boys to become four men.

Now you are all men, men that stand shoulder to shoulder as you face an uncertain future. But as uncertain as that future is, I know you have everything you need to succeed. You are well prepared, my sons... well-equipped for the tasks ahead. You have learned on the long road of education and experience, through the hard work and trials that have built you into men of character, compassion, and individual purpose. You use your gifts, rely on your talents, and are not quitters. In fact, I have never seen any of you give up. You have the heart, mind, and vision to get over each mountain… and you know how to enjoy the view from the top. You revel in life. Am I proud? Most certainly! I am the mother of four (yes, four!) men who believe in themselves.

Now you each now have the papers and the scars to prove you have what it takes to start something, and finish it. But I have seen you know when to finish something when the end was not worthy of continued effort. This is a valuable trait called "discernment", a quality vital to leadership… and mark my words, each of you have been born to lead. I have known this from the beginning. Without a doubt, sooner or later you will all be called to lead your fellowman in a significant way when it is your time. You have become honorable men who can follow… and men worthy of leadership. Impressed? Yes, I am impressed! So I ask you to stand and be counted in your society and times. Stand for others as you have stood for each other… and for me.

Our culture, your world, is full of darkness... but I am confident in the future because I have contributed four sons that will help light up that night sky, one spark of inspiration at a time. As you look to the future and consider what role is yours in your world.
Check your heart... it will guide you. Seek good counsel... it will serve you. Respect the law... it will free you. Serve others... they will uphold you. Exercise your gifts of creativity: work together, play together, seek truth, be patient, preserve freedom, practice love. Pray together. In this way, the greater good will be served and love will continue to reign.

To the best of your ability, live in peace with your fellow man for we all need each other. There is an old saying: "The sum is no greater than each of its parts." This is true . Make your decisions thoughtfully and act in kindness and respect to all mankind, friend or foe, for we are all made of the same clay. But most of all proceed with respect to that which is greater than all of us. It doesn’t matter what words you use to salute this greater entity, only that when you are feeling tall you don't forget you are what you are because you are part of a greater whole.

Now my job as a parent is over, your life is in your own hands. We have seen each other through thick and thin. With respect, I pass the baton. There are more celebrations to come, more joys and more woes to share. There will be fireworks too, lots of them!

What a ride… and it isn't over yet!
But we will not live just to survive; we will live to tell about it. It is my hope you will continue my work of encouraging the creativity in all people.

As your mother, I thank you for listening to me, and for loving me. I gave you encouragement, and you have given it back. Because of this, I live life as a woman fulfilled. Thank you for bringing JOY into my life.
Thank you, my sons.

With love from YOAO(Your One And Only),
MOM