Dear Tahlia,

Happy 13th birthday…

Proud to be your Kai Gong Gong (God Grandfather). Watching you grow up to become a bright and beautiful teenager makes my heart beams with warmth and pride.

Tahlia, age 13 is an important milestone. You are walking into a self-responsible, independent stage in life, a transitional period from childhood to adulthood. This is the beginning period where you need to start determining how you want your life to become – ask yourself this question: do you want to be a good and responsible person?

I remember when I was 13 years old. I started attending high school in Hong Kong.

I was attracted to participate in school activities, and I decided to join scouting (see my photo in uniform). It was the first time I attended school activities outside regular academic curriculum. My parents encouraged my participation in every Saturday’s scout meetings at school. It was a very new and exciting time for me – I joined all outdoor camping trainings such as learning how to use ropes and tying knots for securing camping equipment for different purposes; how to light a campfire with only 3 matches; how to identify and to avoid dangers during hiking trips… etc. The most important things I learned in scouting was to obey scout master’s instructions, and how to observe self-discipline (learning the right thing and to carry them out).

Fifty years after first joining scouting, I am still using the skills I learned then and practising the same self-discipline I was trained to do when I was 13 years old.

Everyone goes through the similar 13 years old milestone. But each person chooses a different path in life… Tahlia, your parents and your own wisdom will both help guide you towards a bright future. Treasure the time of youth, use your energy wisely and you will be rewarded by future successes!

Once again, Happy Birthday!

Kai Gong Gong