Storytelling

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Dear Jack: Your 1st Christmas Where You Cared Most about Clothes

11 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

Throughout the years, you have traditionally been the least impressed when you would get clothes as gifts for Christmas.

But this year, as an 11 year-old boy, things changed.

In fact, you specifically wanted clothes this time.

From a new pair of Nike’s, to some Carolina Panthers jackets, to a novelty t-shirt featuring one of your favorite catch phrases:

“Nope.”

Noticeably, this was your first Christmas with the least amount of toys.

For what it’s worth, we also took you and your sister to Disney World this year… so maybe that helped balance things out.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: I Finally Was Able to See You at Gymnastics!

5 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

When this school year started, you began gymnastics and your brother started Taekwondo. Mommy always been the one to take you to gymnastics, which happens to be at the same time as when I am taking your brother to Taekwondo.

But this week, it worked out better for me to take you instead. You being in gymnastics makes a lot of sense!

You are very energetic and daring. So for an hour, twice a week, you get to run and jump, and challenge yourself- specifically with the balance beam.

As much as I loved watching you in your dance recital earlier this year, I definitely see how gymnastics could be the better fit for you… at least for now.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You are Still Planning on Marrying Brooks, From Preschool

5 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

Seven months ago, when you were finishing up preschool, is when I became well aware of your boyfriend (?) Brooks from your class.

He even said right in front of me one time, “Holly, remember… I’m going to marry you one day!”

Well even though you’re halfway through Kindergarten now (a different one than him), you still haven’t forgotten what he said- despite not seeing him since August.

In the mornings before school, you often like to draw pictures. This week, you drew one that made it to the fridge; as it proclaims, “Brooks and Holly Get Married.”

This is going to be hilarious if you and Brooks ever cross paths again. I don’t even know his last name!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Made a Stunt Double for Yourself

11 years.

Dear Jack,

I had just got done talking to you downstairs in the living room. Then, I walked upstairs and saw what appeared to be you… already there!

I immediately questioned how it was possible. Then I realized it was actually a stunt double (or should I say stunt dummy?) you had arranged in your chair.

You began laughing downstairs, as you figured out I had just discovered your creation.

“I made that last night before I went to bed,” you explained.

You and your sister named it “Jackson”.

Jackson literally took the fall for you, as you and your sister gave him a toss down the stairs to see how he would hold up.

Nicely done!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: The Special Song I Wrote for You for Your 11th Birthday- “Have a Good Life”

11 years old.

 

Dear Jack,

We had a spend-the-night birthday party for you the weekend of Halloween.

As I watched you interact with the four friends you chose to stay over, I felt like I was literally watching you grow up.

It inspired me to write this song- just for you:

I want you to have a good life/I want yours to be even better than mine/I’ve watched you travel through time/I’ve been beside you, tried to guide you through this ride you take me on/Have a good life, even better than mine

I can always remember when I was your age/Thirty years’ difference though most is the same/ I’ve been where you are, it’s really not that far/Every year of your life I put myself in your place/ So familiar it’s strange, though the backdrop has changed/I’ve been where you are, it’s really not that far

No one can love you the way that I can/I look at you and I see who I am/Half of you is me and will always be/When I move on to the life after this/Remember my love for you all of these years/Half of you is me and will always be

Love,

Daddy