Twenty-one years. The bonus quote below, “You’ll never feel ready because ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision,” is meant as a father’s advice to a son, but on a 21st birthday, I think the son is ready, and the advice is more appropriate for the father. The truth is, I never felt ready to become a parent, the first time or any time, actually. I don’t think I am alone in that feeling, and the crazy thing is, the feeling never really goes away as you watch your child about to embark toward each new milestone. I’m not ready to be a parent. I’m not ready for you to go to school. I’m not ready for you to graduate… Each time was a decision whether we wanted to make it or not. Looking back, I know that uneasy “not ready” feeling eventually gave way to pride (most of the time), as we were passengers on your road to achievement. But knowing doesn’t make it go away. 21 years. I can’t believe it has happened so fast. Have fun, stay safe… remember you have a test in the morning.
Lunch Box Quotes are notes I usually include in the kids’ lunches. Since Number 1 is off in college and Number 2 is skipping lunch now (he’s trying to cut weight for lacrosse), they both get a text. Both 3 and 4 get handwritten notes on napkins.
Visual credit to – Featured Image: Photo Credit: @DearS_o_n
Quotes: @japan_nobunaga @Mythos_Man @HistoryDailyyy
Quotes:
1. “If you can keep your head when all about you
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
2. “Peace is never kept by those who cannot fight. That is why the deadliest blade is forged to stay in its scabbard, and why even angels are armed.” – NOBUNAGA
3. “For without risk there is no faith, and the greater the risk, the greater the faith” – Søren Kierkegaard
4. “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” – Samuel Beckett
Bonus Quote: “You’ll never feel ready because ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision.” – Unkown
Sources:
“Peace is never kept by those who cannot fight. That is why the deadliest blade is forged to stay in its scabbard, and why even angels are armed.” https://t.co/Do4GOHE4ur
— NOBUNAGA🇯🇵🏯_夏樹蒼依 (@japan_nobunaga) October 26, 2026
“For without risk there is no faith, and the greater the risk, the greater the faith”
— Søren Kierkegaard
— Man of Myth (@Mythos_Man) October 22, 2026
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
*- Samuel Beckett https://t.co/VOYUEzKje8
— History Daily (@HistoryDailyyy) October 24, 2026
Dear son, https://t.co/PC2cEZR1Fo
— Dear Son. (@DearS_o_n) October 15, 2026