April 23rd, 2008

April 23rd, 1616. Three hundred ninety-two years ago today. We know William Shakespeare died that day. We believe he was born on this day in 1564; four hundred forty-four years ago, if my math skills suffice. He lived 52 years, but his plays and poems made him immortal, and his words hold centuries of wisdom today.

A bit of fatherly speech, ironic on the tongue of Hamlet's Polonius, can be applied as a wish for my nephew, Evan (below):

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.



Be you, Evan. Be your energetic, adorable, sweet little self. Shriek with laughter. Run around with a smile on your face for the sheer joy of running. Bat those baby blues at little girls you see. Share your toys. Squeal with excitement over "ABCD soup!" Blow kisses, give random, unasked-for hugs. Be you. Because we all love you. To thine own self be true.