While doing research for one of my posts, I came across a letter that John Steinbeck wrote to his son about falling in love, and love advice in general. It is funny how people are constantly searching for the “right” advice on things such as this, and I couldn’t help but feel that Steinbeck put it elegantly and honestly. I remember “first love” and how desperately I wanted everyone to believe it wasn’t puppy love. Goodness, I would never want to go back to teenage angst by any means, but I love how delicately Steinbeck gives his advice. Perhaps, some of the greatest parenting advice out there? I may save this for any future kids I may have! Who knows, but I think he has written down a few gems about love within this letter and I thought I would share it. Have a lovely Wednesday! I retrieved this information and letter at this biography website. Enjoy!
John Steinbeck to His Son Thom
John Steinbeck, the best-selling Nobel laureate, enjoyed the duties of fatherhood and dispensed advice to his two sons when it was requested – and sometimes when it was not. When Steinbeck’s son Thom was fourteen he attended boarding school in Connecticut and met a young girl named Susan with whom he thought he might be in love. His father, then living in New York with his second wife, Elaine, offered his views on the matter.
November 10, 1958
Dear Thom:
We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.
First – if you are in love – that’s a good thing – that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.
Second – There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you – of kindness, and consideration and respect – not only the social respect of manners but the greatest respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.
You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply – of course it isn’t puppy love.
But I don’t think you were asking me what you feel. You know that better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it – and that I can tell you.
Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.
The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.
If you love someone – there is no possible harm in saying so – only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.
Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.
It sometimes happens that what you feel inside is not returned for one reason or another – but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.
Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I am glad you have it.
We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.
And don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens – The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.
Love
Fa
I retrieved this letter from this website
In the picture above- Cuernavaca, Mexico 1945- Mrs. Stanford Steinbeck, Gwyndolyn, Thom, and John Steinbeck. Retrieved from Pinterest.
Simply & Softly 