dad

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Dear Jack: Wrapping Up Your 1st Season of Baseball

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

We’re now down to the last few games of your very first season you have ever played on a baseball team. The way I see it, this has served as the perfect way for you to prepare and practice for try-outs next school year when you officially transfer to your new school in Alabama.

You have proven to be independently and intrinsically motivated to continue to learn how to approve your skills.

In addition to your dedication, I have also seen your frustration. It has possibly been more of a learning curve than you expected.

But you are still focused on playing baseball on a team once we move.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: I Thought You Were a Teddy Bear

8 years old.

Dear Holly,

It was a morning like every other. I had just got back from the gym and was headed to the closet in my bedroom to change clothes.

You typically are there in my bed when I get home in the mornings, as you are usually watching some silly kid’s show on your tablet.

But on this morning, as I got closer to the bed, my initial perspective was that were you smiling at me while all bundled up underneath the covers, instead.

It took me a couple of seconds, but I finally realized:

“Oh, Holly’s playing a trick on me. That’s her teddy bear.”

Conclusion: You smile just like your teddy bear.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Are You Trying to Be Beavis?

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

As of today, you are exactly 13 and a half years old.

Living in the same house as you everyday, seeing you walk by me, I tend to think, “That’s the same boy who a decade ago was obsessed with collecting Thomas the Train toys. But now, he’s grown up. He’s a teenager. I am the father of a teenage son.” I am still grasping with the concept.

A few weeks ago at your sister’s birthday party, your Aunt Dana took a couple of pictures of you with your cousin Calla. Of course, you couldn’t help but to have a ridiculous composure.

I’m definitely getting Beavis vibes there. (The one with the blonde hair, wearing the Metallica t-shirt.)

This is a glimpse of what a 13 and a half year-old boy is like.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: It’s Not Just Me, You Really are Good at Drawing

7 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

It’s not just me because I’m your dad: You really are talented when it comes to your drawing skills.

As we are constantly packing up our house and shipping out more boxes each couple of weeks we travel to our Alabama house, you have been taking it upon yourself to decorate the boxes first.

Not to mention, a decent amount of the time you are on your tablet, it is because you are watching videos on YouTube to learn to draw a new animal.

When I was a kid, I loved to draw as well. I even took art lessons for a few years during the summers.

This is something we instinctively share in common… the artistic, creative gene.

Now here in a couple of years, maybe you’ll take me up on my offer to teach you to play guitar… since your brother turned me down on that!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Said I’m Everybody’s Best Friend

6 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

I am actually able to to learn a lot about myself, thanks to your daily commentary.

This week, I was minding my own business, clearing the dishwasher, when you announced to me:

“Daddy, you’re sort of like everybody’s best friend.”

I explained, “I do my best to not have any enemies…”

You got more specific:

“Anytime we go anywhere, to a store or a restaurant, you always have to talk to people you don’t know, but then it’s like you’re their best friend.”

If me talking to strangers counts as being everybody’s best friend, I’ll take it!

 

Love,

Daddy