Happy Birthday to my Mother

Today would have been my mother's 81st birthday. One of the things she was devoted to over the course of her life was Girl Scouting. Some time ago I saw on Letters of Note, a great site that reprints correspondence from famous individuals at various points in their lives. This particular letter was from Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts in the UK. Baden-Powell's wife was Olave Baden-Powell, who founded the Girl Guides, the UK equivalent of the US Girl Scouts.

According to Olave, Robert Baden-Powell carried a letter with him at all times in an envelope marked, "In the event of my death." The letter was addressed "To the Boy Scouts." It was read for the first time shortly after his death in 1941. The sentiment in it could have easily come from my mother as well. God Bless You Mom. I miss you and I love you.

Dear Scouts,

If you have ever seen the play 'Peter Pan' you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.

Remember, it is the last time you will ever hear from me, so think it over.

I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.

I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man.

Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. 'Be Prepared' in this way, to live happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout promise always - even after you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.

Your Friend,
(Signed, 'Robert Baden-Powell')