Walking Adventures

To my son Tommy,

One of these days, I need to get an phone app that maps our course. If I had to venture a guess, I'd guess that we walked about three miles today when we decided to take a walk. We started around nine this morning and ended close to eleven. We weren't out to set records, just leisurely stroll. So armed with a water bottle and sense of daring, we headed out.

The first thing we had to hurdle was your idea that the walk had to have a destination. This was an adventure with no set direction, though I had ideas for stops along the way. Ultimately our destination was home, right where we were starting from, which, if you think about it, is really a metaphor for life.

On our walk, we got to the normal corner up the street and decided to take the road less traveled by us. Our walks normally have a destination and when we get to that corner, we are crossing and then going left. This time we went right, which is not the first time but is much less the norm. Your eyes really brightened when we got to the next corner and crossed the street, thus crossing into virgin territory for our walk. From there on out, it was a five minute interval with the question, "Daddy, you sure we aren't lost?" I was mostly sure, even though the neighborhood names were changing, I had a good idea where we were.

We walked up about four or five blocks and down the street. I took some pictures of campaign signs, noting that the only ones I could see were for Keiffer Mitchell in what he self described as day-glo orange. We took a right down a road where one of your classmates live. We had recently been there for a birthday, so I remembered the house. We weren't stopping in but our journey took us down that road because I thought it would be nice to say hi on the off chance they were in their yard. They weren't.

Further down that road, we saw a house for sale with the lawn taller than you. I am usually not one to complain, and when it comes to high grass my definition is more lenient than most, but that was ridiculous...so my Baltimore 311 app got some work. We continued on through the neighborhoods.

We stopped at a little yard sale and just browsed a bit. It was mostly fancier stuff that perhaps your mother would have been interested in but were probably too high brow for our tastes. The fun part was saying hi to the people. And that we did, saying hi or stopping to talk to about three dozen people in our travels through the neighborhood. Some we knew, some we didn't. Most it was just a quick hi and hello or even a nod and a wave. It was nice going down a street where one of your schoolmates, a class level lower than you, was out helping her daddy with some home improvements. We got talking for a good bit, and then let them to their work as our adventure continued.

Our adventure had become walking by people's houses that we knew, even though we mostly didn't stop. This of course found us on North Bend which, with a slight detour, leads to the Family Dollar on Edmondson. When we came to that corner, you knew right where you were and there was no denying you a trip into the discount store. You ended up buying a purple bracelet for you to wear and orange bracelet to give to your mom because she wasn't feeling well. You are such a thoughtful person.

While we were there, someone either shoplifted or flat out stole and the cashiers saw them and called the cops. They evidently got the guys picture and his license plate, and another good samaritan customer pointed out the guy was now down at the bus stop trying to sell the stuff he stole. We paid for our goods and avoided that area by turning up the street your great grandmother lives. As we walked up, a cop came down the streets running lights and the occasional siren. I thought it best to keep on and not get caught up be looky-Lous. Hope they got the guy.

Instead, we called your mom to have her call and see if it was okay to stop in and see Nansy. She hasn't been feeling the best, but we got permission for a quick stop in. We stayed long enough for a kiss and a hug and a quick hi and bye. Our adventure wasn't over.

We went up to our church and your school. There was some type of a service there which was probably a funeral or perhaps a wedding. We saw two gentlemen in suit that were meandering outside the church a bit lost. We directed them to the bathroom as we went on our way. We visited the statue of St Agnes and took a couple shots. But our legs were starting to tire and our water was getting low, so we decided it was time to head home.

Since we had the bag from the store, and you decided to wear and/or carry the bracelets, we decided to pick up litter on the way back. We tried stopping by your grandmother's house but they were out. But we just got home with a full bag of litter, an empty water bottle, tired feet, a sense of accomplishment and community, and a hunger for cheese sandwiches and cheetos.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Cuddles

To my son Tommy,

Be it your mommy, or your cousin, or even your old man...you are always up for a good cuddle. And for that, the world is a better place.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

Phone Hack

To my son Tommy,

If they can figure out a way to make money on it, they will do it. Of course the proverbial "they" here refers to all the ne'er-do-well types out in the world. My company was victim of one of these scams/hacks over the weekend.

To my defense, I protect and am in charge of the computers for our company, not the phone system. The corporate phone structure was set up way before I got here and maintained by a third party contract. Still, this type of hack could have happened with whatever system because the weak link in the system is the end user.

You see, someone hacked some of our corporate mailboxes for our phone system. When an end user uses a passcode like 1111 or such, it is quite easy to do. At first I asked myself why and for what gain. I mean we aren't the target for corporate espionage and most of the information that our competitors could use, like what jobs we are bidding etc, is public knowledge. Nope this is about long distance phone calls.

They hack a phone extensions mailbox. Then they set up a call forward. This call forward is to some international number, in this case the most common one was to Sierra Leone. Then when they call our office and dial that extension, the phone in the office doesn't ring and instead some phone in Africa does.

At first I thought this was ingenious and only a minor nuisance. I pictured some poor immigrant trying to call his grandparents and found a clever workaround. I couldn't really even get mad as I was just impressed. Then I found out the plan was much more insidious.

Countries like Sierra Leone get paid every time a phone call comes into their country from the States. All the long distance carriers have to cough up some dough when a phone rings and, I assume, is answered. Probably more for the connection charge than for any conversation. You know...twenty dollars the first minute, a dollar a minute there on out...type thing. So these countries hire hackers to run equipment to hack corporate phone systems and just make call after call so their utilities can bill AT&T or whomever is the long distance carrier.

This news stunned me. Governments hiring hackers to charge up the phone systems. Sure you here about Chinese computer hackers now supposedly attacking corporate interests in the United States, and the old Nigerian scam email system is rampant, but I had never heard of African phone hackers. I knew these countries ignored the dubious computer activities and hacker groups, but I thought they just had more important things to worry about and were in no position to stop it. I didn't realize they were actively promoting it and paying people to do it. This to me is an act of war and I would think our country would step in and do something about it. At least you would think the phone companies would stop it by refusing service to these countries or at minimum creating a default opt in policy to call these countries instead of an opt out policy which we are implementing right now.

Be careful out there my son. The world is filled with nefarious people who will find ways to screw you or your company. Hopefully my company doesn't have to pay any of these charges, but I don't think the African countries will forgive the bill to the long distance carriers, so in the end someone is paying. It makes me think that returning to an old phone system, without all the bells and whistles that could be exploited, is the way to go. Old school for the win. Now where is my rotary phone...

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Work Like A Fraggle

To my son Tommy,

What is it about coming back to work after a holiday Monday that makes you want to scream and run away? Is it the realization that any day away from work is infinitely better than any day spent doing the nine to five thing? Maybe it is because everyone is so busy because the preceding week they put off all those projects till after the holiday and that procrastination bill has come due? Or perhaps it is the figurative slap in the face that you have to come back to make ends meet for those real bills and the real reason you work?

People often wish for things that will never happen. I often find myself thinking of becoming independently wealthy and dreaming about the day I will have to work no more. Unfortunately I have no master plan to accomplish this sudden windfall. In fact my financial plans are really centered around me working and working and working some more. And the day I will have to work no more? Well that will probably be the day I meet my maker.

It makes me think about an episode from Fraggle Rock that we watched together. In that episode, we found out how things get accomplished in their world. You see every Fraggle has to work an absolutely obscene thirty minutes of work a week. Grueling, I know. Each has to do his or her part to help the society and since they are simple creatures the amount of work to be done, when divided, is not that much. The rest of the days are spent in fun and play. That would be the life! Unfortunately, back in the real world, the work hours tend to surpass that amount by a factor of one hundred, at least. Maybe one day. Of course if I wanted those work hours, all I would have to do is run for elected office and win.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Big Picture

To my son Tommy,

After a very busy day, before I faded off to sleep last night, I was thinking that so far I had kept to my ultimate plan to be with loved ones and remain safe. The television was tuned to channel twenty two which is the Maryland Public Television channel. They had on the National Memorial Day concert. Your mother looked at me and said she was bawling after a particularly touching story was relayed. We watched a little longer, or as long as our droopy eyes would allow, and slipped into that dream world with stories of heroes who serve and who gave going through our minds highlighted with backdrop of patriotic and inspiring music.

It is important to stay grounded and focused on the big picture. It is important to keep in mind the memorial part of Memorial Day. So when you are pulling out the charcoal and icing down the coolers on this weekend, remember, though we try to approach this holiday as a celebration, these were very real lives of very real people sacrificed for our country that we are to remember on this day. The big picture supplies greater purpose and more meaning to each and every moment that we have to spend among our loved ones and what has been given to get to this point.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Plans For The Weekend

To my son Tommy,

Inevitably on a Friday before the long holiday weekend, the question will arise "You got big plans for the weekend?" It is an effort to pass the time between work start and holiday begin with some small talks about grilling and travelling and such.

We have plans for the weekend, not sure if they deserve the adjective "big" but we have plans. Some planned events have already been changed as they often do but others seem to be going ahead as usual. We cancelled going to the ballpark Saturday afternoon to stay close and help out around the family. Though Orioles games are fun, priorities lie with our loved ones, especially with those that are sick and need our help. Plus we have to help get ready for your cousins' graduation parties as Emma and Gabe both move on to new schools next year. That celebration will be Sunday.

But the real plan, the simple plan, my grandiose plan, is to relax and be with loved ones and to stay safe. All the rest is just trivial details. You have to stay focused on the big picture. I hope all our family and friends keep in mind this big picture this weekend, and I hope you always keep in mind this big picture every holiday.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Free Checking No More

To my son Tommy,

Perhaps this a bit of a rant, and perhaps it doesn't necessarily belong in a letter to you, but I think some valuable lessons might be hidden in here.

You see, I have a little slush fund. It is not much as I only siphoned off fifty dollars a week from the paycheck. I use it to treat your mom and you to dinners or gifts. The statements I just looked at had plenty of Sweet Frog entries that reminded me of how happy I was the first time we got you to try their treat. The statements also had plenty of sushi and phở charges when I was treating your mom. And of course it had the occasional tangible gift for your mom, like her bravelet that I got her right before her surgery.

I also use it for worthy causes when I feel moved to donate to charities or schools or some other moving cause. The statements had entries for a couple politicians who inspired me and some arch diocese campaigns and a couple NPR campaigns and such. As I browsed my donations, I saw a couple entries for a dad blogger who was running a race for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an entry for a school counselor who works down the road at Green Street Academy who was trying to fund a college tour for some of her students, and a donation to a funeral fund for a young boy in Baltimore who, while walking home one day, got caught in an explosion.

Then of course there are the "can you stop" charges. McDonald's charges here, CVS charges there. Just used it to give the other credit and bank cards a break. But as you can imagine with any useful slush fund, it always had a low balance though tons of activity.

Well the bank I had the daddy fun fund with, which was PNC, decided to end the free checking account. They sent out an email saying they were moving me to their "standard" checking which has a seven dollar a month service charge if you don't maintain a balance over five hundred bucks or have over five hundred bucks in direct deposits going in a month. That effectively ended our relationship right then and there and now it is just going through the motions and procedures involved with closing the account.

Some might defend the bank saying it has a right to make money. I agree and it was making money. I am sure every time I swiped my PNC card they were charging some merchant three to four percent for my purchase. Four percent of two thousand six hundred dollars a year is a little over one hundred bucks. Now they want another seven a month to hold some of my money and charge the merchants? Also an extra two bucks for a paper statement if I don't meet one of the minimum requirements each month and don't want to go paper free? Not on my dime.

It really got me thinking about this policy. What if this wasn't a slush fund for me but a way of life. I am sure there are people who cannot meet the banks minimums in their complete finances. This bank had a six or seven percent rise in their earnings for the first quarter of 2014, and now they want more and they want this more on the backs of hard working average Joes. Perhaps it is a not so veiled attempt to dismiss poorer customers so they don't have to even go through the charade of considering them for other accounts like loans and such before denying them. Charge them fees and they leave and then when they come to you and ask for a car or home loan you can say "Sorry, we only look into that for customers with an account with us"

Maybe I am being too critical here and maybe the requirements are easy to get. They whole thing just ticked me off. Other than firing off a few social media rants (and of course writing this blog) there is only one recourse...Stop doing business with them.

Remember son, the amount of money matters little. Fifty bucks, five hundred bucks, five bucks, it is the principle of the thing. Every customer wants to feel they are being treated fairly and I don't feel this is a square deal. Don't let a bank convince you they are doing you a favor by holding on to your money for you. Don't let them even hint that you aren't a good enough customer to have an account with them. And when you think you can't do anything but rant and rave, always remember you do have a choice of who and how you do business. Someone out there will be happy to have the privilege of managing the daddy fun fund again one day. Now I got to go and do all the fun stuff of making sure my direct deposit is switched and making sure there are no recurring charges I have set up and changing my password before closing the bank account in case they get hacked after I was their customer, etc etc. Don't worry, we will still get the occasional ice cream, just got to ask mom when it comes from the main family account now!

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Family Secret Be Told

To my son Tommy,

For homework the other day you had to write out words. Your first attempt was less than optimal. You rushed the job and went freedom totally disregarding the various guidelines for the letters. It was as if M.C.Escher had decided to put a slight spin on printed letters. When you showed your work to your mother, she was less than impressed. Before she made you erase everything and try again, she wanted you to show me your first attempt. Immediately the waterworks started as you were now ashamed of your effort and afraid of disappointing me,

I took you by the hand, and then by the cheeks, and looked you in the eye and reminded you there was nothing you could do that would make me love you less. I also told you a secret about Downeys. I told you that Downeys often screw things up the first time. It happens and it is a fact of life. But I also told you when that happens we do it even better the second time and better yet if we have to do it a third time. I reminded you that it is not how you start or even that you might fail to meet standards a couple times, but it is how you finish that counts. I also let you know that the fact that we do things better the second time will someday really help in your dating life, but that lesson is for later in life. As for your homework, it took a couple erases and redos but each time after you got progressively better.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

Turkey Head

To my son Tommy,

Your crazy outfits are one of the top reasons I can remain sane and still laugh. Thank you. Keep them coming, even if you were trying to blow me up with that weird baton that you were using like a wand. You may be a turkey head, but you are our little turkey head.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Daddy Should Know Better

To my son Tommy,

With experience comes wisdom. Or at least that is what they tell me. As the dad, I am supposed to know the right thing to do. On the drive home, in an effort to divert my mind from the current barrage of life worries, I was searching for those questions in my life that remain unanswered.

Usually these questions come in the form of a joke, such great mysteries like "why do they call them apartments if they are all stuck together?" or "why is the word abbreviation so long?" are enough to divert my mind. But today, I came to a real life situation that I am not sure of the correct answer or even if there is a correct answer.

When a person allows you to merge, yields to you to give the right away, what is your responsibility after that? Sure we all give the obligatory wave, but sooner or later the question comes up about choosing to let another car in. Do I let the next car in front of me, paying the kindness forward? That is usually what I do but does that extend the generosity of the guy who let me in. He will now be two or maybe even more cars back and perhaps when he let me in he only expected to be one behind. If we were people standing in a shopping line and he let me go first and then I let another (or twenty) in front of me the answer is obvious, but when it comes to cars...it isn't cut and dry.

Certainly any car that I let in probably should have merged much earlier, back when I did or after our original Good Samaritan but if the merge lane is long it presents a bunch of questions. did this guy try to merge earlier and was just thwarted? Or is he taking advantage of the situation and hoping for a good hearted gullible driver to let him so he can pass everyone? As we travel farther along the merge ramp, the answers become more obvious and the distance between me and the car in front gets closer and closer. Still, early on the question remains, do I let the next guy in or do I keep them out to repay the guy who let me in?

There are some questions that Daddy just doesn't know best. I have done my best to strike a happy medium, but there probably have been many a driver cursing that they let me in and that I in turn let the entire automobile world in before us. You will have to find your own criteria and this will probably change day to day and mood to mood and car to car. Personally, my only consistent criteria is to not let in people with vanity plates and BMW or Lexus drivers. That is probably not very nice of me but you got to start somewhere. Hopefully by the time you start driving I will know better and be better prepared when you ask me what is the right thing to do.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

B&O Railroad Museum

To my son Tommy,

Yesterday was a class field trip to the B&O Railroad Museum on Pratt St down in Baltimore. I think I was more excited than you about the trains. I always marvel at the roundhouse and how they saved the building and the museum after a big snow caved it in awhile back. You however were more impressed by the dress up house but at least you were dressing up with railroad outfits. The quote of the day comes from when I was trying to get you excited about seeing some other trains and you say, "Yeah! We get to see some trains! and some cement! and ..." I looked at your mother and asked, "Did he just get excited about looking at cement?" Your mother was laughing and confirmed what I heard. We joked that perhaps next we could find some paint drying for you to look at.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Fertilizer

To my son Tommy,

If you ever have one of those weeks where you feel you are over burdened in life, I want you to think about gardening. Remember to grow the best flowers, you have throw a bunch of shit on them. How is that for a life metaphor? I grabbed a Throwback Thursday picture from 2010 at a tulip farm with your mother when you were just one year old and some change to illustrate my point. 

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

Disseminating Information

To my son Tommy,

As computer literate that I think I am (which is good because my official job is that of a geek) I often find I don't have the social graces to utilize some of the more interesting aspects of the Internet. For example, when your Great Grandad Leo went into the ER this morning, I posted it on Facebook. I didn't have my uncles' phone numbers on hand and to me it was a quick way to get the information out to everyone. I figured the grapevine would then take over and anyone who needed to know would soon know and anyone who wanted more info would find a way to call me.

Your mom pointed out that she would hate for them to find out their father is in the hospital through Facebook. That thought never dawned on me because I was more preoccupied thinking about the current situation. To me how you find out is not as important as finding out. But again, your old man has very few social graces and a different way of thinking when it comes to most things. You should probably follow and learn from your mother's example.

Prayers for your great grandad. To all your great uncles who read my letters to you, I will let you know more when I know more.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

Some Days This All You Can Muster

To my son Tommy,

If anyone asks you to smile for the camera, and you don't much feel like smiling, you suck it up and give it your best try anyhow. That is what your Great Grandad Leo did for me today.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

Mothers

To my son Tommy,

They bring you into this world. They often threaten that they can take you out. They can clean any mess off your face with a thumb and some saliva. They have been known to leak from the eyes for no apparent reason, whether they are happy or sad or mad or cutting onions, or, most confusingly, all of the above. They worry and love with their whole heart. Most are suckers for wine and foot rubs and more wine. They may complain about their jobs but they secretly love it, or at least usually. We, as men, as sons and husbands, may never understand them in their entirety, but we are damn sure glad they are there. Happy Mother's Day.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Baseball Games

To my son Tommy,

Here are a couple things I learned from Mommy, Poppop, and I going to the the ballpark with you last night.

Always have a camera ready for that moment when your son gets on the jumbotron. You actually got a decent amount of time on the big screen comparatively, but it is still quick. So if you go to the ballpark have a camera ready when those scan the crowd moment come up...especially if you have a dancing fool for a son. I learned that lesson the hard way that is why this is a pictureless post.

And then it occurred to me that if you hit the jumbotron, you may have even made it to television. Next time we go, we are going to make sure to set the DVR to capture those potential moments for posterity.

You have more face recognition than some politicians. Your five seconds of fame lead to people recognizing you on the walk back to the car. Today, during the St Agnes Spring Gala, one of your teachers came up to you and said how excited they were when they saw you on the jumbotron last night. I fully expect one day in the future, you to be standing and greeting the Pope and someone will come up next to me and say, "Hey, who is that guy with Tommy?"

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

This Diamond Ring Still Shines

To my son Tommy,

Your mommy was wearing her wedding and engagement rings this morning. With all the medical stuff, especially the steroids she had to be on, this is a great sign and a milestone that makes both your mom and I happy.

Anyway, the conversation turned to proposals, engagements, weddings, and marriage. I explained to you that I gave her that modest diamond ring when I asked your mom to marry me. Your response was, "And she didn't run away?". I can't make this stuff up, that was your response. I didn't miss a beat and said, "No, no...I had locked the door so she couldn't get away. Plus, we had the two dogs then so they were a big incentive for her to stick around. And technically it was still her house."

The conversation continued on. You asked who got to be the princess, which confused me at first because I thought we were still talking about the proposal, until your mom said she was like a princess in her beautiful wedding dress. You laughed when you were told your dad dressed like a penguin that day. You couldn't believe it when we told you that you were there with us during our wedding in your mommy's womb. I chuckled and thought to myself, "you and a whole bunch of other people, including the priest" as the original engagement period had been cut down from the expected two years to a little over one year. It is what it is and I sure wouldn't change a thing about it.

Then that ultimate question came from your mom, "Who do you think you want to marry when you grow up?" She suggested a couple of your classmates, but you smirked and smiled and acted shy and pointed at your mom. I feigned outrage and told you she was already taken and that we can share her heart but you couldn't get married. You insisted though that you were to marry your mom so you could get her another ring. If that isn't an early mother's day gift.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Nut House

To my son Tommy,

It is a very nice place. Very clean, decent decor, nice staff, etc..at $12,000 a month I suppose it should be. But the euphemism of it being a rehab center or even a nursing center is far from what I have seen. It is a nut house. It is caring for patients that are well beyond the level of your great grandfather when it comes to their state of dementia.

Yes, your Great Grandpa Leo forgets in the short term. He may tell you the same story in the same hour as if it is new. Around dusk he gets a bit more confused which many would say is the phenomenon known as sundowning. He may ask you more than once what day it is. Right now, he wakes up at this place and forgets where he is and why he is there and what he must do to get home (eat well, walk, etc). Perhaps he needs this specialized care because of these things, but the atmosphere created by the other patients is scary.

I know I am not being politically correct or forgiving or understanding, but some of these patients are out there. The yelling, most of it unintelligible, is constant and consistent. Occasionally I could make out a curse word or the N word or some other crap that was filled with venom and spite. I guess the anger comes from not being able to be understood. I have only visited a couple times in the past couple days but if I had to stay there the night, I would definitely stay up all night barring the door. I am a grown man with (despite what some would say) all my faculties about me and I got cornered by a few of the more irate patients and felt scared. I felt like Adam Sandler first dealing with the "mister mister" lady while bringing his grandmother to a nursing home in the movie Happy Gilmore.

Your great grandfather still has a sense of humor about things. Your great grandfather was wheeled out in the sitting area the other day because he has to sit up three times a day. He sat there nodding off pretty much every minute. One of the more vocal residents was screaming unintelligibly in the halls. Your great grandfather would stir, come to a bit, look up and respond to the other patients rant by saying to us "I agree" of course not knowing anything that lady said but figuring they must be on the same side if they both are upset about being there.

But even in such a chaotic place, you can find love. When I was there the other day with Nanna Jeanne, and she bent down and kissed his forehead to say goodbye for the day, Great Grandpa Leo looked up with almost an apologetic look on his face, as if to say he is sorry to have to put everyone through this, and sighed a heavy sighed and said "I love you girl" He said it with such relief and conviction as if that is the one thing that he will always remain crystal clear on in his lifetime.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Great Granddad

To my son Tommy,

Your Great Granddad Leo has been in the hospital for the past week or two. He was having to pee every half hour through out the night for some as of yet still unknown reason and his legs gave out on him and he had a couple falls. He can't walk or walk well enough to get himself to the potty. On top of that he got pneumonia from his hospital visit. Today, or last night, they moved him to what they call a rehab center. Copper Ridge lists itself as an "Outpatient and Residential Care for the Memory Impaired" which I think is a nice way of saying a nursing home for old people with dementia. Great Grandpa Leo's short term memory hasn't been too sharp for the past year or two, so I guess that is why he was sent there for his rehab to get him walking again. I just hope he comes home soon but I fear this might be a more permanent move than I am being led to believe. The whole situation is upsetting to all, but I can really see and hear it in my dad. Right now he is being so strong but I can see the cracks and wish I could do more to help him. Perhaps I should point out to him that he is still teaching his son. He is still teaching me that you don't give up on anyone, from birth to death, and you need to be at and on their side no matter how difficult life gets. He is still teaching me how to be a good son as well as a good father. Perhaps I should point out that the reason I am here for him to lean on his from his example throughout the years especially from the example he gave me when dealing with his own father. Prayers are needed and will be sent.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Christmas Spirit Year Long

To my son Tommy,

On the T.V. Right now is Miracle on 34th Street (the 1994 remake not the original). Since you came into our life, you have made sure Christmas is a year round state of mind. Just in case I ever get grumpy while watching Christmas stuff in May, and June, and. July, etc...I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for always having that Christmas spirit.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

Shaking My Head

To my son Tommy,

You are who you are. There is no fighting that fact. But still there are times all father can do is shake his head in despair. Wearing a pink dress as dress up is one of those moments. It causes me great concern and despair. You can obviously see the problem for a dad like me. I mean who would allow their son to wear froggy boots and that hat with that dress. As for the concerns other people might have, well screw 'me if that can't take a joke. I love you for who your are, unconditionally.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

May Procession

To my son Tommy,

Here is a picture of you, dressed up for school. You were all set for your May procession and First Friday, with flowers for Mary. Looking sharp, my son, looking sharp!

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo

Pointing With Emphasis

To my son Tommy,

Parent (either of us, both of us doesn't matter): "You dropped something when you walked by here."

You look down by your feet where you are and not where you passed.

"No, over here" as we point fruitlessly at the object on the floor.

You get lower to the floor still looking around where you are.

"No, over here" as we do the parent emphasis point trying to point out the obvious.

You turn away from us and look behind you.

"Do you not see where I am pointing? Come closer. It is right there!"

You walk forward looking into our eyes instead of where we are pointing.

If our point could talk it would be screaming by now.

"Look down! It is right there!"

Once again crouches to the floor while maintaining eye contact.

"For Pete's sake, it is right there!" as we start the parent point pump for emphasis.

You start feeling around. You put your hand on it while maintaining a clueless look that is still sincere and true.

"There! That! It is in your hand!"

"This?" you ask innocently.

"Yes! Yes!" we exclaim as we don't dare confuse the situation with sarcasm, "Now, pick that Lego up and put it back"

"Put it back where?" you answer.

Our brain explodes.

Next time I am going to remove the finding process by making you go barefoot and walking you back and forth from me to where you are until you find it the same way your father normally finds it. Then I will only have to deal with the where to put it away process which usually ends up with "Just give it to me"

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo