One day, people will tell you many of the things I’ve heard myself.  Not strong, smart, Asian, American, lawyer, academic, Christian, Ivy League enough. 

And I will teach you how to respond.

“Correct.”

The goal is to be shapeless, formless – like running water.  You will not be taught by the charlatans I was exposed to in my youth.  Instead, you will follow the teachings of the man you were named after.

You used to stand in the corner of the room with a book yelling when the others are playing.  And even though you were the smallest, no one dares to take anything from you.  

Your discerned patterns at an early age.  You are quiet until you are not. Impossible to force or bribe.  The more you try, the more you resist. The evidence of an unconquerable will.

And the look of an angel but the mischievous mind of a monkey and the fierce heart of a tiger.

The boy with my soft side.  But as deadly as the stealth Hellfire missile that took out Al-Zawahiri.  Gliding down quietly and opening up with blades at the last moment.

A future Chief of Detectives.  Your soft eyes make all the difference. The watcher, the observer – George Smiley MI6 style. Or what I often prefer to nickname you – Michael.