Storytelling

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Dear Jack: Walking Away from the Explosion

15 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

After we all had opened our presents at Nonna and Papa’s house on Christmas morning, Papa was letting volunteers test out his new hot rod he’s been working on.

Mommy and I came outside to check it out. Nonna saw us standing there and decided to take a picture of us. As she did, Uncle Andrew pulled up in the driveway with you in the passenger seat.

Nonna’s back was turned to you guys pulling in, but the look on our faces told her something wasn’t quite right…

She decided to take another picture of us right then; capturing that moment of, “Umm… what’s going on here?!”…

Fortunately it was just steam, and not smoke, spewing from the front of the car.

Either way, like an action hero walking away from an explosion, that was you escaping from Papa’s hot rod.

So yeah, maybe Papa’s still got a few more bugs to work through on his hot rod.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Lego Advent Calendar

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

Every morning this month after you have woken up, you have immediately checked your Lego Advent Calendar; to see what new Lego item you get to unlock for the day.

Saturday morning, I just happened to wake up earlier than usual and so did you. Therefore, I was able to witness you being able to carry out your December morning routine.

You were so happy to find a Lego dog with a wheelchair.

I am appreciating how the days leading up to Christmas are just as exciting as the actual holiday.

And I’m still just so happy we ourselves don’t have to travel anymore for Christmas!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Skeptical on Santa Yet?

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

This past weekend while we were at Christmas with the Alpacas at TMMA Farms in Trion, Georgia, I took your photo with Santa.

I feel like there was a noticeable vibe of skepticism. As we were leaving afterwards, you referred to him as “that Santa”, not as if he were “the Santa”.

Makes me wonder if this is the final year you believe in any Santa at all…

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Helping Pack the Ramen and Oatmeal for the Parade

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

One night after dinner last week, I was working on some things on the computer when I noticed that while you and Mommy were in conversation catching up on the day, you were both multitasking.

I finally stopped to notice what the two of you were working on: You were both putting together “care packages” for the Christmas parade.

You and your cousin Darla got to throw old donated Beanie Babies from the Jeep.

Meanwhile, Mommy and I were dispersing Ramen and oatmeal to anyone we passed by in the parade and positively responded to, “Want some soup or oatmeal?”

It was interesting to see that most people got more excited about being thrown actual food than candy.

Your help made this possible!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Our Family’s Christmas Parade Tradition with Jeeps

15 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

Two things that are fundamentally a part of your identity are family and tradition. Once we do an activity as a family for the 2nd time in a row, it officially becomes a family tradition in your mind at that point- and therefore, the expectation is that we need to keep it going.

A year ago, randomly at the last minute, our family ended up in the Christmas parade, throwing candy from Papa’s Jeep.

This year, we decided to do it again; but this time Uncle Andrew drove you, your sister, and your cousin Darla in Papa’s Jeep, while Papa drove Mommy and me in my Jeep.

I could tell from the picture this year, that you really enjoyed being involved!

Love,

Daddy