You wrote this on my 43rd birthday. You were there to help me celebrate my 18th birthday, although you might not remember it. It amazes me all these years later that we are both in the publishing business. I like your work.

This article remindes me of the time about 20 years ago there was a lot of buzz about a book titled “Terror in the Toybox” in which folks were warned about the evils of Barbies, Superheroes, etc. I tried to follow the priciples with my daughter who was born shortly after the book’s publication. However I always felt like I was stifling her creativity and also, somehow, her natural idealism. With my son who is only six I have decided to take a lighter approach. I encourage his role play and applaud his creativity. It is all so sweetly innocent.

You are right, the world could do better with less cynicism.

Thanks for reminding me why I read your writings now and will continue to do so in 2006. Another thought provoking post.

{{{Candleman}}}

Grace to you,

Tripp

Thanks for the reminder. It’s too easy to become cynical! Time for me to take a strong dose of the best antidote I’ve found — Jude.

10Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals�these are the very things that destroy them.

11Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

May God have mercy upon us all!