For As Long As My Fire Burns

A Father’s Day Letter to My Children

Author

Ed Clementi
June 16, 2025

This newsletter was never just about strategies, lessons, or leadership tips.

From the beginning, it’s been something more.

A living journal.
A vault of thoughts and truths I’ve gathered through life.
Something I hope my children will read long after I’m gone—
and say, “That sounds just like Dad.”

So today—on my 27th Father’s Day—
I’m writing to them.

And maybe, in the process, you’ll find a piece of yourself here too.

Dear ones,

As I reflect on my years as your father, I wanted to take a quiet moment to put these words down—not because I have all the answers, but because I’ve lived enough life to know what I’d want to pass on if this were my last chance to say it.

This isn’t all the advice I’ll ever give you.
But it’s what I feel most deeply… right now.

First —
Stay close to each other.

You’re siblings, yes. But more than that—you were each other’s first friends.
You cared for each other before the world could even explain what that meant.

I know life pulls us in different directions.
People come in, priorities shift, time gets scarce.
But I beg you—don’t drift.

Because one day, when life feels heaviest or loneliest,
the ones who shared your childhood will matter more than ever.

Be the ones who show up for each other.
Not just on holidays—but in the middle of life’s mess.
That’s where family proves itself.

You’re going to take hits.

Real ones.
Life doesn’t spare anyone.

But I want you to remember one of my favorite movie quotes:

“It’s not about how hard you can hit.
It’s about how hard you can get hit… and keep moving forward.
How much you can take… and keep moving forward.
That’s how winning is done.”

That line isn’t just about toughness.
It’s about resilience.
About choosing not to fold when things break your heart.
And about rising anyway—scarred but stronger.

Protect your energy.

The people around you shape more than your day—they shape your destiny.
You can’t always change them.
But you can change who you allow close.

I love this line:

“You can’t change the people around you…
But you can change the people around you.”

Choose the ones who make your heart smile.
The ones who want to see you grow.
The ones who love you loudly… and quietly.

Know your worth.

And don’t let anyone, ever, take that from you.
Your value isn’t measured by applause, salary, or someone else’s opinion.

It’s measured by impact.
By integrity.
By how you make people feel.

And remember—your worth shines brightest in environments that appreciate it.
So if a room doesn’t see your light… it’s okay to leave it.

Get in the arena.

Take the stage.
Don’t wait for perfect timing, permission, or applause.
Time is our most precious currency—and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

So show up.
Risk the stumble.
Make your mark.

As Theodore Roosevelt once said:

“The credit belongs to the man in the arena…
who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again…
but who does actually strive to do the deeds.”

Do the deeds.

Give back.

Be kind.
Be generous.
Share your gifts, your time, your light.

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”

And often, what you give away
becomes what comes back to you tenfold.

And finally… this:

As your father—and simply as a man—I’ve made mistakes.
I’ll make more.
There are days I sit with those mistakes, wondering if they left a mark on you.

But if I’ve taught you anything, I hope it’s this:

We don’t become better by being flawless.
We become better by choosing to rise—
To grow from our failures.
To wake up and strive to be a better version of ourselves than we were yesterday.

That’s all any of us can do.

They say the only constant in life is change.
But I’d argue there’s another:

A father’s love.

It’s not always loud or perfect.
But it is constant.
Fierce.
Unshakable.

When I look around at this life I’ve lived—
the roles I’ve held, the mountains I’ve climbed—
nothing compares to you.

Each of you, in absolute equals,
are what light my heart.
You are my Inspired Fire.

So keep walking your path.
Keep burning bright.
And know that for as long as my fire burns… I am with you.

Always.

Love,
Dad

With Absolute Sincerity,

Ed Clementi, Founder & CEO of Inspired Fire, LLC

Make an Impact and Feel an Impact.