Happy Birthday, DJ (Principal Engineer)

One of Kwai Chang Caine's (AKA 虔官昌 Qián Guānchāng) first instructors was the blind master named Po.  Po considered Caine his favorite pupil and behaved more like an elderly grandfather.  Caine was given the nickname "Grasshopper" by Master Po.  The reference was from an exchange where the still ignorant young Caine asked the old blind master how he could function without seeing.  Po then described the room in detail, including a grasshopper at Caine's feet.  Incredulous, Caine asked Po, "Old man - how is it that you hear these things"?  Po's reply was, "Young man, how is it that you do not"?  From that point on, Po affectionately called Caine "Grasshopper".

Well, son .... tomorrow you end your third decade of life, and begin your next decade.  When you were a young boy searching for your horizons, through your mid-teen years when you were probing and struggling to define your boundaries, and culminating with your departure from my protective umbrella en route to Washington State University, in the back of my mind I often recalled (to myself) snippets of scenes from Kung Fu (me as Po, and you as Caine).

I tried to give you a firm foundation and as much counsel as I could, and let you make many decisions that were probably not the best choice.  I often wanted to jump in and take command to save you from the consequences.  But I am very glad that I did that only rarely (perhaps your memory differs from mine).

Long ago you blossomed from a young grasshopper with an insatiable appetite for knowledge into a warrior able to take on any challenges life throws at you.

In retrospect I can say with total certainty that the greatest moments of my life have been interacting with you, both from near and far.

So, on the eve of your 30th birthday, it gives me great joy to know that all of the time and information I shared with you was worth more than words can describe.

I love you, and am so proud of today's DJ Moreau, Principal Engineer!

Happy birthday, son.