The gift of optimism.............

     "It is a primary task of parents throughout their lives to
convey to the young a sense of optimism.  Whatever other
obligations we have to our children, a conviction that we can
achieve happiness amid the losses and uncertainties that life
contains is the greatest gift that can pass from one generation
to the next.  Like all the values we wish to teach our children -
honesty, commitment, empathy, respect, hard work - the
supreme importance of hope is taught by example."

-Gordon Livingston,  Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart