Sam, one of the most important lessons your great grand-father Pagra taught me was "knowing my place". Now most people read this quote and think it has a negative skew to it. Usually you'll hear this from a boss or elder when they want to quiet you, and make sure you know who's in charge. Pagra had a different view on things when it came to knowing his place. You'll hear Magra talk about how Pagra wanted to be a "big fish in a small pond", and that's why he chose to practice law in a town of 900 people. He easily could've gone to any city and toil away in a big firm for years and hope one day to become a partner, but to him it would've been a fools task. Within your genes lies a certain need to be independent, and a definite confidence in your own ability to be successful. It wasn't an easy decision I'm sure. He was expecting his first child, your Mimi, and moving to a tiny town with no idea of how he'd support his family. Oh, I forgot to also tell you that risk taking is in your blood too.......After diving in head first he spent the rest of his life carving out a law practice, raising a family, and creating a place in the world for himself. I'm in no way an expert on the life Magra and Pagra built together. I do know that they struggled greatly at moments, but through the struggles they found something greater. Magra and Pagra found their place in life. They ended up raising three wonderful children, built a successful law practice, and made a name for themselves in Bandera (even in a town of 900 its good to have street cred). Pagra knew his place because he made it. With every failure or success he was creating a life that had purpose and meaning. He didn't do it alone either, and this gets to the heart of the matter Sam, he was certainly an independent man, but he was also smart enough to know that he needed support. In Magra he chose quite wisely, to me she is the glue that keeps our family together today, and I'm sure she
was then too. Without her his life wouldn't have been possible. When you get older you're going to hear your mom and I laughing about our lives now. To say we're struggling is an understatement. I'll be a nurse soon, but when you were born I was still in school (ie student level broke), carving out my own place in life. The same holds true for me as it did for Pagra, without your mom, my life wouldn't be possible. The vision we have for our lives has involved sacrifice both of us, but she trusts me, and supports me no matter what. It would be a mistake to not tell you of your importance in this equation too son. You are the driving force in your mother's and my lives. Every decision we make reflects how you've changed us, and how now you're a part of the support we both need. Never underestimate the humility and purpose you've brought to this family. Every day I wake up knowing that without you and your mom I'm only fulfilling a portion of my potential. I know my place now. It's right where I am: raising you to be a good man, being a good partner to your mom, and finding happiness in hardship or success. Son, remember this as you're carving your own place out: you make your own life so own your choices, but without sacrifice and support you'll never really understand how wonderful knowing your place can be. I love you son, and just as a side-note, you turned 2 months old recently, and you still look like your mom.....
