You used to fit right here. I’d hold you up to say to your mother: This kid’s going to be the best kid in the world. This kid’s going to be somebody better than anybody I ever knew. And you grew up good and wonderful, it was great just watching you everyday, it was like a privilege. To the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world and you did.

But somewhere along the line you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you’re no good; and when things got hard you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

You, me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!

Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers sayin’ you ain’t what you wanna be because of him or her or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!

I’m always going to love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.