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We all have certain things that we hope to pass along to our children. More than the genetic code of our eyes, hair, long fingers, knobby knees and too large of feet or too small of teeth. You know the drill. I often remind myself (and my children) that good brains are a true gift from God, something we are blessed with, not something we should boast about as if we did something to deserve them.

And of course, the socioeconomic lot that we are dealt is, to some extent, often quite the blessing, as well. I'm not saying that we can't change our lot in life. I'm just saying that there are those of us who were born to far greater initial circumstances than others. And just because of that, we should not feel that we somehow are better than those who were not born to that same social position.

As I get older, I seem to become more and more aware of this, whereas many of my contemporaries seem to be moving in an opposite direction. That is to say, it seems that they've forgotten how very blessed they were or, indeed are, to have grown up in the nurturing environment in which they did. This type of environment fostered the following ideas:

• Higher education was not only valued greatly but considered a foregone conclusion
• Music and the arts were to be revered
• Proper use of English grammar was essential
• Simple gestures like holding a door open for the next person behind you were common
• Dinner together with family, both immediate and extended, should be a regular occurrence
• Go to church
• The importance of a well-written (by hand) thank you note was indispensable
• Your integrity was as important as just about anything else in life

You could even say that the ideas somewhat formed the platform for the basis of my early adulthood. It may sound trivial, trite and traditional, but I think the ideals I've outlined above are still crucial for living today, and I hope to pass them along to my daughters. I do think I have a few of my own (and my husband's) that I'd like to add to the list above, though, in order to make the list complete for today's living. If you add the following to those above, we've got a pretty good summary of some good rules to live by for my budding young ladies:

• Happiness is more important than money. Therefore, choose a career based on your passions. The money will follow. (I sure hope I can stick by this when push comes to shove, and my baby wants to be a basketweaver...or writer! Ha!)
• I think for me, though I am a pretty strict Catholic, "Go to church" becomes:
• Find your spiritual path, and celebrate/embrace it. Again, I truly hope that my children will remain Catholic, but if they choose not to, I then further pledge that I will do my best to respect their choices.
• "Proper use of English grammar" would be altered to include learning Spanish and embracing other cultures in our society that continues to become more of a melting pot every day
• Respect those who are different from you
• Respect the earth

I think that just about covers it. I still do believe in the indispensability of a well-written (by hand!) thank you note. There is no substitute for that. Think how great it makes you feel to receive that thank you note in the mail. It's so much nicer than the one you receive via email. Isn't it? Come on. Isn't it? You know I'm right. Surely we can all think of someone to thank right now. It might even be our husband (or child, for that matter...) for doing something nice for us. Wouldn't he appreciate a nice thank you note?!