Sherry was graduated from Macalester in May 2009. Thankamony attended the graduation at Macalester. It was simply a matter of exhilaration to see your son's achievement. I sent my gold chain as a gift for his achievement. He was very emotional and wore it for the graduation ceremony. Life had started rolling in front of him. America was undergoing a great recession from December 2007 through 2009 due to the bursting of eight trillion-dollar housing bubble. The resulting loss of wealth led to massive job loss. The U. S. labor market lost 8.4 million jobs. 2009 was the worst year to graduate from an American University. Many foreign students had left the country because of unemployment. Sherry had moved to Utah with a friend. One day he just walked into Goldman Sachs at Salt Lake City and applied for a job. They were impressed with his interview that they offered him the job of a financial analyst. I couldn't be more proud of him. He had moved out of my umbrella. The first job is an incredible milestone in a person's life. Careers are built through sheer hard work, learning, working in teams, innovative and being smart. I had full faith in him.

My sixtieth birthday fell on 27th January 2011. In Kerala it is called 'Shashtipoorthi' and is celebrated with family and friends. Since my children were in the States we couldn't celebrate together. So I send this letter (my thoughts) to them.

My dear Seany, Sherry, and Vimal
Today I am in my sixty, my ‘shashtipoorthi'. This day is made by the Lord. Rejoice and be glad. I wish to dedicate this blessed day to my entire family and to spend this day by giving reverence and thanks to them and also to pray to God to bless each and every one of them.
I take this opportunity to remember my parents K.V. Kuriakose and Rosamma Kuriakose. They were simple people who found pleasure in raising their children. Being the youngest son in the family, they had endless affection for me. My mother celebrated my birthdays with special ‘Payasam.'
I am very much indebted to my brothers, sister, and sisters-in-law for helping and guiding me in my youth. What I owe to them cannot be easily expressed in words, but only felt in the blood and felt along the heart.
The person who has influenced me most in my life is your Mum Thankamony. She entered into my life as a firefly. That flickering light has evolved into a beacon of light and shines in our lives. She is a gracious woman with lots of wit and charm. She is the immaculate embodiment of womanhood. She gives us joy, the joy she is. I thank God for bringing her into my life.
The happiest moment in my life was the night of 31st August 1981 when the first tiny, amazing creature in swaddling clothes, my daughter Seany, was presented to me. The proudest moment of my life was the night of 25th February 1987 when my son, Sherry was born. It was a new thrill and joy and I cherished it with amazing grace. I still have vivid memories of those blessed nights. I am very proud of my children. You radiate charm and vitality. Your love, affection, and concern give me strength and joy.
I am very fortunate to have Vimal as Seany's life partner. He is a wonderful young man with lots of vitality, abundant strength, exuberance, and charm. I feel happy and proud about Vimal. Vimal is a loving husband and a caring father.
And the two wonderful kids, Sneha and Alvin. I adore them. A man's life is complete when he sees the children of his children. I am blessed.
God made this world and made us live in it for a while. He wanted us to appreciate the delights of life, the beauties of nature, the pleasure of good company, the grace of laughter, and the infinite satisfaction of loving each other. The splendor of creation is for us to claim as our own, and enjoy this life in which God has put us, as part of His design. We owe Him infinite thanks, obligations, and duties. If we are more grateful for what we have, instead of grief-stricken for what we have not, much good would come to us. A rainbow appears after a heavy thunder and shower, birds sing after a heavy storm; why shouldn't we also feel free, to forget and forgive our shortcomings and embrace with warmth and love, glue together in unity and live in harmony. May God bless you.

"But I have promises to keep
Miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep" .... (Robert Frost)

My prayers and blessings are with you.
With lots of Love, Hugs, and Kisses
Dad
27/1/2011