Done

To my son Tommy,

We finally finished putting together the playset that Aunt Carrie and Uncle Rob handed down to us.  It seems fairly level and sturdy.  Only had a couple extra screws left over that unfortunately don't fit the couple missing spots I do have.  It is one of those twilight zone moments like when you only put two socks in the wash and still lose one.  Regardless, the thing is sturdy and weight tested at least up to a fat daddy's weight which is about 275 lbs.  You were a big help today and I really mean that.  You did more than the normal gopher or tool holding that a four year old would be normally relegated to. You used the ratchet to tighten bolts and slid bricks under posts when I lifted them to level it.  It was really quite the bonding experience.

You had lunch out there in your fort and you called your cousin Ryan down.  I figured I'd have to spend the entire day outside but you and Ryan played for a bit and then moved to inside games.  Some hide and seek inside and then playing with a dollhouse and then a craft project with mommy.  You and Ryan made some ghosts for Halloween.  There was a point today that I thought the treefort-playset was only going to have five minutes of fame and be lost to obscurity.  I pictured myself mowing around this thing lamenting the fact that no one plays on it.  But you guys went out again and played outside.  Your fort will no doubt bring years of fun, if your mom doesn't power wash all the wood away tomorrow!  Don't worry wood can be replaced.  Much thanks to all who helped!

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Gratitude

To my son Tommy,

You have always wanted your own playset for you own backyard.  Today you are one step closer to that simple dream and tomorrow, if all goes right you will have the whole shebang.  So you owe thanks to many of your family and friends.  Your mom's cousins Aunt Carrie and Uncle Rob are first and foremost in line for thanks as they so graciously handed down this huge playset called the Pathfinder 6006 Deluxe.  It has a slide and a climbing wall and monkey bars and swings and a fort and everything a four year old likes.  We had to disassemble it to get it over and got most of it today but need to make one more trip tomorrow.  You also owe thanks to your cousins Matt and Eric.  Matt helped us load it up and Eric generously entertained you.  You owe thanks to Bwama and Pop-pop for letting us borrow their truck and to your mom who bravely and successfully drove the truck all loaded up thanks to Uncle Rob securing the pieces so well.  You owe thanks to the guys who helped me unload including your Uncle Chris and Mr. Brian and Uncle Dave.  Now if daddy can get the whole thing back in shape when we get all the pieces here tomorrow, you will owe another big thank you.  No not to me, but to God, because it will truly be a small miracle!

The point is so many friends and family were willing to give of themselves to make this happen for you.  You should always acknowledge how blessed you are and be grateful to have such dear loved ones who share of themselves.  Some might think the gift is a playset and some might even think a playset isn't that big of a deal.  They'd be wrong.  To you and your imagination, you were given the keys to the kingdom to defend against invading hoards for years to come.  But the real gift is much larger than any wooden structure, yet so much easier to pass on from one person to another.  And the only payment needed for this amazing gift is sincere gratitude.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo