Letter to Jack

Dear Jack,

Thank you for delivering my letter to Jackson last week. Do pass this one to him as well. Unfinished business: “Dear Jackson, I want to tell you a story… about fish and chips, well sort of – a true story.

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My dear Jackson,

I asked your brother Jack to deliver this letter because I’ll be away all week. We’ll talk when I’m back. You raised certain issues in your letter. I think it all boils down to self esteem – what you think of yourself. Give it a few years and you’ll realise those “cool” guys you spoke about are operating on a false definition.

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My dear Jack,

I think the fundamental problem is love across the Atlantic, not all those issues you raised. Long distance relationships have their challenges, significant challenges.

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Dear Jack,

You’re well aware of my belief in wholesome relationship. You have a girlfriend who treats you like an ATM machine. That cannot be wholesome. You’re dating an exploiter. You’re ATM, Jack. All your girlfriend does is demand and collect money from you. You have a demand and supply relationship.

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Dear Jack,

I spoke to Jil yesterday and in the course of our conversation I asked after you, about your relationship. She was self-contented that she had a relationship but wasn’t happy. Wishes you’ll talk to her more, especially during the week. Now I know you’re busy at work (she knows that too). But you’ve got to engage her. You’re not naturally disposed to such emotionalism I know but there are things we do for the sake of happiness. You’ve got to try. Need not always be vocal conversation. Text or its cousins can supplement.

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Dear Jack,

Let’s talk about this self esteem thing. It’s affecting your ability to get dates so let’s deal with it. Self confidence is important but there’s a false version of it. You see that in the club sometimes.

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Dear Jack,

I’ve written you so many letters now. Probably forty in number, maybe more. But today’s letter is slightly different. It’s a letter within a letter, like those Russian matryoshka nesting dolls.

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Dear Jack,

I am not ordinarily interested in wild nature or safari but for some reason I tuned to Animal Planet on Saturday. And my wife and I became riveted by the narrative of the rehabilitation of a chimpanzee named Charley into the wild. Charley had the scars of life all over his face. His face was marred and sad. He had been rescued from man’s cruelty. I actually thought he was a baboon until my wife corrected me. They all look the same to me! Baboons are different from chimpanzees apparently. And not just because they have red butts. (Baboon is derived from Middle French “baboue”. It means grimace. This probably explains my attitude! :))

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Dear Jack,

There’s a lot we need to learn about this animal called life. (I’ve chosen to be a student of life). The philosophy of life we adopt determines the outcome of our lives. Choose your philosophy carefully I’d say. The source of the philosophy of life we adopt must be proven, comprehensive in scope and robust. It cannot be limited or developed solely from our circumstances and experience. That’s the surest way to end up as prisoners of our circumstances and difficulties.

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Dear LA,

A potential suitor recently asked why I wasn’t married. It was a loaded question and it came with a full set of assumptions.

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