I just wrote this letter to my Son. I plan to send it out to him 20 years from now: Dear Konrad, I made you work on our old Peterbilt so you would never be overwhelmed by any machinery. It’s hard to work on heavy, rusted truck for a grown man, but it’s “mission impossible” for an 11-year-old boy. But I introduced you to 4-foot-long torque wrench that day to make sure the lug nuts were tight. We need 475-foot pounds to make sure the wheels don’t walk away when we drive. 475 divided by 4 feet = 118 pounds of weight needed to be applied. You were like 80 pounds. I told you to figure it out and watched you with a smile. You found those missing “extra pounds” by hanging upside down and pushing your feet against the trailer rail. You made me say “WOW!” The other day wasn’t as spectacular – I made you grease the entire truck and trailer – another tough task for a first timer, and you were dirty like a pig and tired as a dog, but I’m sure your future wife will never complain about squeaky doors at the house and your car will have fresh oil all the time. Then, remember when I made you climb over the stacks and reefer unit to the top of the trailer to replace that corner light? I told you I believed in you, and you never fell and finished the job – again. I’m sure you will believe in your kids now, too, and realize that if you just give them the proper know-how and never express any doubt, they will get it done, just like you. They will surprise everyone! And it’s not just you – all kids are amazing like that. Use proper tools, maintain everything, and have faith. I did that and we stayed free when you were growing up. Now, it’s time for you to do the same! Love, Dad.
