I’m a latecomer in Gil’s life, having known him for slightly less than half of his now-13 years, but I feel that we’ve covered a lot of ground during that time. I hope, in that context, that this blessing resonates at least a little bit.

Gil- may you be interested in everything. Be curious, explorative, and adventurous. Drink in everything you can. Have fun; also be serious. You have a capacity for seriousness, even though you don’t always like people to see it.

May you learn the joy of doing a job well- the doing, the finishing, and the having done. Sometimes the doing becomes the most valuable part.

May you look beyond the surface of things, and strive always to understand deeper meanings. Many things in life are not as they first appear, and you will make better choices the more you understand the real situation.

May you have a purpose in life, a purpose that gives meaning to your life. May you be not just smart, but also wise, and may the cost of gaining that wisdom not be too burdensome. Along the way, may you develop a love for reading and read many books, and find adventures and wisdom there.

May you make a difference in the world. Use your desire for adventure and participation to be engaged and involved, but use it to help other people as well. You want much out of life. Find ways that accomplishing your goals can also make the world a better place.

May you develop a sense of compassion and loving kindness toward yourself and toward others. You and they are human, and make mistakes. May you find ways to accept those mistakes, learn from them, and move on.

Finally, may you be fully aware of each and every moment in your life. The past provides wisdom and perspective; the future is a target for hopes, dreams, and goals. But life happens right here, right now; all we really have are moments like this. May you experience them, without worrying too much about their goodness or badness, with joy, appreciation, and gratitude, and as richly and completely as possible.