parenting

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Dear Jack: Dogsitting Yet Again

15 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

Over the past several years  you have been approached multiple times by people, as you apparently seem like the kind of kid who could appreciate making some extra money taking care of people’s dogs while they are out of town.

And you have yet to turn down the job each time. This is never something you have advertised about yourself or sought out.

Well… it happened again.

You were in charge of feeding and letting out our friends’ dogs last weekend.

Dogs just are naturally drawn to you. And so are dog owner’s!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: The Cat That Followed Us Home

10 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Every evening after dinner, we try to take a one mile walk through the neighborhood as a family. We started noticing these two cats running out to welcome us every time we turned the corner.

The two cats insist on us stopping to pet them for a few minutes each time we pass.

One day a couple of weeks ago, one of the cats followed us home. When I woke up the next morning to go on my walk, it was still there on our front porch!

I made sure to carry him back to his actual home right away, as he apparently didn’t know how to get back on his own.

He hasn’t followed us home since, but we still see him everyday on our walk.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You and Mommy in Europe

15 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

I’m sure at some point, perhaps years from now, it will hit you:

“Wow, that was actually pretty amazing that I was able to go visit Europe for the first time with my mom.”

Sometimes while you are actually living out a moment that you will always remember and cherish, you don’t realize it’s one of “those” memories.

But I know “that time Jack and Jill went to Europe” will serve as a core memory for you the rest of your life.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Funny Faces across Europe

15 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

As I write this, you are currently on a 7 hour flight back to the United States. During each of the 9 days you were on your school trip overseas, Aunt Dana has been sure to take plenty of photos everyday of you and your cousin Calla.

From the very first day to the very last day, it was very obvious that we can easily name this trip, “Jack’s Funny Faces across Europe Tour”.

What makes this even more ridiculous is that for every picture of you making a silly face in France, England, and Scotland, there is a counterpart photo featuring your cousin Calla.

As Uncle Andrew described it…

“Cousins: Same trip, same camera, same locations… completely different photos.”

Your cousin Calla has literally won a beauty pageant before, displaying poise and feminine energy in her photos.

Meanwhile… your photos could easily cause a person to ask, “Umm… is that kid okay?”

And this is how you chose to be remembered in your first trip to Europe. Exactly what I would expect from you!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: How You See Me Right Now

10 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

While you were still in school in May, you made a Father’s Day craft that I was supposed to get, but we just now discovered it!

I loved the insight it provided about how you see me and what you really think of me. There was one particular idea that showed up multiple times:

That you see me as helpful.

What that tells me is that is the trait you value and need most from me.

The funny thing is, there isn’t one particular thing that comes to mind. What exactly am I doing that is helping you?

I’m simply sharing my life with you every day. Your presence in my own life is a gift everyday that I never take for granted.

If I’m helping you each day in ways I don’t even recognize, I’m sure you’re doing the same for me as well.

Love,

Daddy

 

 

Love,

Daddy