Son, I wrote this letter during your first few days in this world. Your mother and I are so happy that you are here. Your grandparents, great-grandparents, aunties and other relatives are excited to get to know you. Even strangers who will never meet you sent their congratulations.
In the Fifth grade I brought home a report card with A's, B's and one C. My father sat me down, his daughter. He made the following statements. "See these B's? They are unacceptable. I expect you to get A's. See this C in conduct?" I bristled, thinking if he was upset at the B's, what of the C. And then he told me something I will never forget, something that explained his core and explained my responsibility to all those who came before me to create me. He said "don't you ever bring home better than a C in Conduct because if you do that means you are just sitting there doing what they tell you." Remarkable and imprinting from a father to his daughter. And in my life I have never brought better than a C in Conduct despite the best efforts of even powerful people to dissuade me.
"Whittaker Chambers ended his Letter to My Children: ...I am leading you, not through cool pine woods, but up and up a narrow defile between bare and steep rocks from which in shadow things uncoil and slither away. It will be dark. But, in the end, if I have led you aright, you will make out three crosses, from two of which hang thieves. I will have brought you to Golgotha the place of skulls. This is the meaning of the journey. Before you understand, I may not be there, my hands may have slipped away from yours. It will not matter. For when you understand what you see, you will no longer be children. You will know that life is pain, that each of us hangs upon the cross of himself. And when you know that this is true of every man, woman and child on earth, you will be wise. Your Father."
I won't be able to eloquently put into words the exact feelings I experienced while reading this letter, but I can at least say thank you. I think some of us will remember this as more than just a letter to your son. It will also be a message of hope and encouragement. It's not every day we see someone who stands up for their beliefs consistently, even when the whole world is trying to push you down and, as you wrote, make you kneel and fit their standards.
I was born and raised in Cuba, my mind was developed and formed under communist doctrines to the point that it took me years to understand what freedom means, and I consider that I still have a lot to learn about it. I am grateful to have found people like you, whose work inspires and guides people like me to have the courage to move forward in our own search for meaning and purpose in life. I have learned and continue to learn and listen to others with the same or different ideologies or simply different perspectives of the world, to form my own opinions and continue building my values. I wanted to tell you that your work has helped me a lot in that sense.
I refused to live the life that was forced upon me, I wish I had the confidence, courage and knowledge to do the right thing in many situations where I was afraid to stand up for myself or others. I review in my mind many moments from my younger years and I can still feel the rewarding emotions of those moments when I did the right thing, and the shame and regret of those moments when I was afraid to even express an opinion about something. I hope that years from now I can look back and think about my actions today with no regrets, just respect for myself.
I hope your son grows up in a better version of our current society. I think you’re doing a valuable work and he will be proud of your contributions.
May 31, 2022·edited May 31, 2022Liked by Konstantin Kisin
Many congratulations to you and your wife, Konstantin. Your son is extremely lucky that he has such a father. Every time I watch or listen to you, I am glad that you have made Britain your home. We are lucky to have you. Mazal Tov.
May 25, 2022·edited May 25, 2022Liked by Konstantin Kisin
Thank you for sharing your letter to your newborn son. It confirms your love, your hope and your stand for the just and the beautiful in the world. May God continue to bless you and your wife and son through the times we are facing.
Perhaps you should write a diary of your thoughts addressing your son on a daily or even event basis? I encourage you to continue to speak out on society, you have a unique and valuable perspective.
Konstantin, You're going to be a great dad and your son will live a very big, very responsible and very interesting life. I've never thought of you needing to show a softer side. When I watch and listen to you I see someone who is crying out for a better fairer world. You're a truth seeker. You dazzle me with your classy style, depth and breadth of knowledge, high intelligence, eloquence, commitment and humour. In addition, as much as the west is far from perfect, you recognized very early on that it's still the best game in town.
'm a 73 year old half-Russian Canadian who has spent half her life deeply involved in the Middle East. People who haven't been to the former USSR/Russia, China, the Middle East, etc. don't understand how good we have it here.
A passionate and moving letter to your new-born son Konstantin. You offer him something worth fighting for, something worth dying for, but most importantly, something worth living for.
This is a fantastic letter. Modern society encourages the pursuit of hedonistic pleasure, yet it condemns any individual who speaks out against the prevailing orthodoxy. In the United States, this means anyone who speaks out against leftist ideology.
This letter serves as a great reminder that we have a duty to speak out. The mild turbulence one may endure from speaking honestly about controversial issues pales in comparison to the misery of silence.
May 25, 2022·edited May 25, 2022Liked by Konstantin Kisin
Brought tears to this ol' man's eyes...and then I forwarded it to my daughter, saying I could have written this for our grandkids, if only I had your way with words. You rock!
This is a wise and lovely exhortation to be principled and brave as well as kind as the basis for a satisfying and meaningful life. In the wake of this - may I introduce you to Rute Vanagaite. Not only is she brave and principled (you will see when you research her) but also, like you, charming and funny. I think you will agree that she is the kind of interesting person with whom you would have a fascinating conversation.
In the Fifth grade I brought home a report card with A's, B's and one C. My father sat me down, his daughter. He made the following statements. "See these B's? They are unacceptable. I expect you to get A's. See this C in conduct?" I bristled, thinking if he was upset at the B's, what of the C. And then he told me something I will never forget, something that explained his core and explained my responsibility to all those who came before me to create me. He said "don't you ever bring home better than a C in Conduct because if you do that means you are just sitting there doing what they tell you." Remarkable and imprinting from a father to his daughter. And in my life I have never brought better than a C in Conduct despite the best efforts of even powerful people to dissuade me.
You remind me of this:
"Whittaker Chambers ended his Letter to My Children: ...I am leading you, not through cool pine woods, but up and up a narrow defile between bare and steep rocks from which in shadow things uncoil and slither away. It will be dark. But, in the end, if I have led you aright, you will make out three crosses, from two of which hang thieves. I will have brought you to Golgotha the place of skulls. This is the meaning of the journey. Before you understand, I may not be there, my hands may have slipped away from yours. It will not matter. For when you understand what you see, you will no longer be children. You will know that life is pain, that each of us hangs upon the cross of himself. And when you know that this is true of every man, woman and child on earth, you will be wise. Your Father."
Thanks for the reminder.
I won't be able to eloquently put into words the exact feelings I experienced while reading this letter, but I can at least say thank you. I think some of us will remember this as more than just a letter to your son. It will also be a message of hope and encouragement. It's not every day we see someone who stands up for their beliefs consistently, even when the whole world is trying to push you down and, as you wrote, make you kneel and fit their standards.
I was born and raised in Cuba, my mind was developed and formed under communist doctrines to the point that it took me years to understand what freedom means, and I consider that I still have a lot to learn about it. I am grateful to have found people like you, whose work inspires and guides people like me to have the courage to move forward in our own search for meaning and purpose in life. I have learned and continue to learn and listen to others with the same or different ideologies or simply different perspectives of the world, to form my own opinions and continue building my values. I wanted to tell you that your work has helped me a lot in that sense.
I refused to live the life that was forced upon me, I wish I had the confidence, courage and knowledge to do the right thing in many situations where I was afraid to stand up for myself or others. I review in my mind many moments from my younger years and I can still feel the rewarding emotions of those moments when I did the right thing, and the shame and regret of those moments when I was afraid to even express an opinion about something. I hope that years from now I can look back and think about my actions today with no regrets, just respect for myself.
I hope your son grows up in a better version of our current society. I think you’re doing a valuable work and he will be proud of your contributions.
Many congratulations to you and your wife, Konstantin. Your son is extremely lucky that he has such a father. Every time I watch or listen to you, I am glad that you have made Britain your home. We are lucky to have you. Mazal Tov.
Thank you for sharing your letter to your newborn son. It confirms your love, your hope and your stand for the just and the beautiful in the world. May God continue to bless you and your wife and son through the times we are facing.
Perhaps you should write a diary of your thoughts addressing your son on a daily or even event basis? I encourage you to continue to speak out on society, you have a unique and valuable perspective.
With respect and love,
Patricia Mayhew
An American Grandmother
Konstantin, You're going to be a great dad and your son will live a very big, very responsible and very interesting life. I've never thought of you needing to show a softer side. When I watch and listen to you I see someone who is crying out for a better fairer world. You're a truth seeker. You dazzle me with your classy style, depth and breadth of knowledge, high intelligence, eloquence, commitment and humour. In addition, as much as the west is far from perfect, you recognized very early on that it's still the best game in town.
'm a 73 year old half-Russian Canadian who has spent half her life deeply involved in the Middle East. People who haven't been to the former USSR/Russia, China, the Middle East, etc. don't understand how good we have it here.
A passionate and moving letter to your new-born son Konstantin. You offer him something worth fighting for, something worth dying for, but most importantly, something worth living for.
God bless you both.
Your new son is fortunate to have a father like you. x
This is a fantastic letter. Modern society encourages the pursuit of hedonistic pleasure, yet it condemns any individual who speaks out against the prevailing orthodoxy. In the United States, this means anyone who speaks out against leftist ideology.
This letter serves as a great reminder that we have a duty to speak out. The mild turbulence one may endure from speaking honestly about controversial issues pales in comparison to the misery of silence.
Brought tears to this ol' man's eyes...and then I forwarded it to my daughter, saying I could have written this for our grandkids, if only I had your way with words. You rock!
mazal tov
Well done KK. Lovely letter, beautifully expressed. Tears all round.
This is what good fathers are made of and what good sons will come to be
This is a wise and lovely exhortation to be principled and brave as well as kind as the basis for a satisfying and meaningful life. In the wake of this - may I introduce you to Rute Vanagaite. Not only is she brave and principled (you will see when you research her) but also, like you, charming and funny. I think you will agree that she is the kind of interesting person with whom you would have a fascinating conversation.
Beautiful. x
beautifully stated.