Hi, Daddy:
Would you believe me if I told you I fully intended to write to you in December? Good. I don't believe that either. Oh, I thought about it, sure. But I don't think I ever really put together enough ideas. I've come up with a few things to share, though, so get your shoes on, Lucy, and let's get this show on the road!
I know this will upset you deeply, but surely you've heard that the Packers lost the NFC Championship game. They put up a good fight, though, and did pretty well considering how many players were injured throughout the season. I tried to show a little extra support for them. For the last few years, I've made a scarecrow for the porch at Halloween. Nothing fancy. Just some old clothes stuffed with shredded paper or crumpled newspapers. An old trick-or-treat pumpkin bucket for the head and we're good to go! One kid was a little nervous coming to the door, asking if it was going to jump out at him. He must have gotten caught off guard at another house. Personally, I'm all about the candy. I'm not about scaring anyone, which is why I always brush my hair in the morning before anyone sees me. Anyway... I wasn't looking forward to unstuffing the scarecrow when recycling week came around. I put a fair amount of time into it and wanted to get my money's worth (as it were). So, I put an old Christmas sweatshirt on over the flannel shirt and replaced the pumpkin head with a big Santa head decoration. Just like that, I've changed my seasonal decorations without too much fuss or muss! (Honest...this relates to the Packers!) When Christmas was over, I still didn't feel like taking him down. And we had some really snowy and really cold days, too. So, off came the sweatshirt and on went an old Packers shirt. Take off the Santa head and replace it with foam wig head and poof! PackerCrow! Not my best effort, I'll admit. But it's got potential. Next year I will put him together with the plan to use him for a few months rather than just a few weeks. You could probably see the wheels in my head turning from there! Anyway... Packers done for the year. Might still watch some of the Super Bowl just for the commercials.
As I was reviewing my earlier notes to you, I chuckled a little at how I described one election season as "particularly intense." Clearly, that year was nothing compared to this past year. Both major sides, and some other players in between, went at it full force and took the rest of the country along for the very bumpy ride. I try to avoid talking (or writing) about political issues. I have my opinions, but I am not the sort to try to influence anyone else when they don't want to be influenced. I'll just ask you to stay tuned. It's sure to be a few years unlike almost anything we've seen before today.
I am still calling Mother every week. OK, almost every week. Yes, our calls still usually last about an hour. No, I still couldn't tell you how we manage to keep up a conversation for that long. We just seem to let it take its natural zigzag course. You know I spent some extra time there this summer. I'm glad I was able to do it. Didn't even get lost in town anywhere, though I didn't really have too many place to go. You might be impressed by the fact that I was able to drive your car out of and into the garage multiple times without scraping anything. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't actually done it myself. Before that, we had the family wedding here. (How can she be old enough?) And the little family reunion was fun, too. Don't get to see the cousins often enough. And I think each family got a skunk of their own. I imagine everyone would like one of the knick knacks for nostalgia but never felt they could just take one. We've got that covered. You might also be glad to hear that your daughters were able to spend some quality time together, too. One never knows what will bring family members closer together. This time, a silly little game on our phones did the trick. It would be kind of hard to explain even if I could show it to you in person. Suffice it to say we learned how to play something together and then enjoyed doing it together.
For better or worse, I still spend time online. I read stuff, play games, write stuff while I'm watching a TV show, and send an occasional email. Really glad I'm not trying to do it on your old dial-up connection. Every now and again I'll post something that other people like, too. In December, I made one little comment on Twitter, then copied it onto my Tumblr. (I realize you aren't really familiar with these things, but just work with me here. Nod and smile.) At last count, more than 1,400 people "liked" that post. More than one thousand people read a few words of mine! That's kind of cool for little ol' me. (Nod and smile.) Kind of gives me a goal to shoot for next time I think I have something clever to say.
Now, I know you know what was really the big story for me this year. I lost one of my dearest friends in the world. I can only imagine what stories you've been sharing with each other the last couple of months. Don't for a moment think I wasn't saddened and changed when you passed. But not surprisingly, a father-daughter relationship is different than one between girlfriends. There were three of us that had an amazing bond, laughing, crying, talking, sharing...everything you could want from a friendship. Now there are so many things that remind me that she's not here. We can't listen to our favorite comedian's new radio show together. She can't try to convince me that mayonnaise is better than salad dressing. The three of us can't go out together looking adorable in our matching shoes. It had been a long four years that ended in a way I really didn't expect. Perhaps some of us were just avoiding facing reality. I was able to spend some extra time with her, with her husband. and with her incredibly large and supportive circle of friends in the final few weeks. For that, I am thankful. But I wouldn't mind an extra celestial hug now and again when I'm having a blue day.
I think that covers everything for now. I believe you're still watching and checking in (and checking up) so nothing here is really news to you. But daughters should share the big stuff with their dads...and the little stuff, too.
So for now, I'll say "yah, yah" Daddy. Be good, and stay with the group.
03/03/1932 - 12/12/2010
Christmas Newsletter to Dad 2015
"Christmas" Newsletter to Dad 2014
Christmas Newsletter to Dad 2013
Christmas Newsletter to Dad 2012
It's Been a Year 2011
Would you believe me if I told you I fully intended to write to you in December? Good. I don't believe that either. Oh, I thought about it, sure. But I don't think I ever really put together enough ideas. I've come up with a few things to share, though, so get your shoes on, Lucy, and let's get this show on the road!
I know this will upset you deeply, but surely you've heard that the Packers lost the NFC Championship game. They put up a good fight, though, and did pretty well considering how many players were injured throughout the season. I tried to show a little extra support for them. For the last few years, I've made a scarecrow for the porch at Halloween. Nothing fancy. Just some old clothes stuffed with shredded paper or crumpled newspapers. An old trick-or-treat pumpkin bucket for the head and we're good to go! One kid was a little nervous coming to the door, asking if it was going to jump out at him. He must have gotten caught off guard at another house. Personally, I'm all about the candy. I'm not about scaring anyone, which is why I always brush my hair in the morning before anyone sees me. Anyway... I wasn't looking forward to unstuffing the scarecrow when recycling week came around. I put a fair amount of time into it and wanted to get my money's worth (as it were). So, I put an old Christmas sweatshirt on over the flannel shirt and replaced the pumpkin head with a big Santa head decoration. Just like that, I've changed my seasonal decorations without too much fuss or muss! (Honest...this relates to the Packers!) When Christmas was over, I still didn't feel like taking him down. And we had some really snowy and really cold days, too. So, off came the sweatshirt and on went an old Packers shirt. Take off the Santa head and replace it with foam wig head and poof! PackerCrow! Not my best effort, I'll admit. But it's got potential. Next year I will put him together with the plan to use him for a few months rather than just a few weeks. You could probably see the wheels in my head turning from there! Anyway... Packers done for the year. Might still watch some of the Super Bowl just for the commercials.
As I was reviewing my earlier notes to you, I chuckled a little at how I described one election season as "particularly intense." Clearly, that year was nothing compared to this past year. Both major sides, and some other players in between, went at it full force and took the rest of the country along for the very bumpy ride. I try to avoid talking (or writing) about political issues. I have my opinions, but I am not the sort to try to influence anyone else when they don't want to be influenced. I'll just ask you to stay tuned. It's sure to be a few years unlike almost anything we've seen before today.
I am still calling Mother every week. OK, almost every week. Yes, our calls still usually last about an hour. No, I still couldn't tell you how we manage to keep up a conversation for that long. We just seem to let it take its natural zigzag course. You know I spent some extra time there this summer. I'm glad I was able to do it. Didn't even get lost in town anywhere, though I didn't really have too many place to go. You might be impressed by the fact that I was able to drive your car out of and into the garage multiple times without scraping anything. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't actually done it myself. Before that, we had the family wedding here. (How can she be old enough?) And the little family reunion was fun, too. Don't get to see the cousins often enough. And I think each family got a skunk of their own. I imagine everyone would like one of the knick knacks for nostalgia but never felt they could just take one. We've got that covered. You might also be glad to hear that your daughters were able to spend some quality time together, too. One never knows what will bring family members closer together. This time, a silly little game on our phones did the trick. It would be kind of hard to explain even if I could show it to you in person. Suffice it to say we learned how to play something together and then enjoyed doing it together.
For better or worse, I still spend time online. I read stuff, play games, write stuff while I'm watching a TV show, and send an occasional email. Really glad I'm not trying to do it on your old dial-up connection. Every now and again I'll post something that other people like, too. In December, I made one little comment on Twitter, then copied it onto my Tumblr. (I realize you aren't really familiar with these things, but just work with me here. Nod and smile.) At last count, more than 1,400 people "liked" that post. More than one thousand people read a few words of mine! That's kind of cool for little ol' me. (Nod and smile.) Kind of gives me a goal to shoot for next time I think I have something clever to say.
Now, I know you know what was really the big story for me this year. I lost one of my dearest friends in the world. I can only imagine what stories you've been sharing with each other the last couple of months. Don't for a moment think I wasn't saddened and changed when you passed. But not surprisingly, a father-daughter relationship is different than one between girlfriends. There were three of us that had an amazing bond, laughing, crying, talking, sharing...everything you could want from a friendship. Now there are so many things that remind me that she's not here. We can't listen to our favorite comedian's new radio show together. She can't try to convince me that mayonnaise is better than salad dressing. The three of us can't go out together looking adorable in our matching shoes. It had been a long four years that ended in a way I really didn't expect. Perhaps some of us were just avoiding facing reality. I was able to spend some extra time with her, with her husband. and with her incredibly large and supportive circle of friends in the final few weeks. For that, I am thankful. But I wouldn't mind an extra celestial hug now and again when I'm having a blue day.
I think that covers everything for now. I believe you're still watching and checking in (and checking up) so nothing here is really news to you. But daughters should share the big stuff with their dads...and the little stuff, too.
So for now, I'll say "yah, yah" Daddy. Be good, and stay with the group.
03/03/1932 - 12/12/2010
Christmas Newsletter to Dad 2015
"Christmas" Newsletter to Dad 2014
Christmas Newsletter to Dad 2013
Christmas Newsletter to Dad 2012
It's Been a Year 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment