Ten years ago, my son was getting ready to head off to college.  I was prepping for the “big talk”– full of advice, wisdom learned the hard way, and most of all, a pep talk on studying hard, doing his best, and being a gentleman to everyone.

Rather than the long-winded talk I was planning to give, I gave a small talk and handed him a poem to read and hopefully, keep.  It was called, “The Man in the Glass.” You can read it here.

In the decade since he went off, I forgot what I said, but I was more than happily surprised when Robert told me recently he has the poem in his wallet.

Isn’t it great when they listen!

To all the parents preparing to send their sons and daughters off to college—my best.