Dear Dad,
On Wednesday, you turn 78. I always mean to write on your birthday. Somehow, the day always gets away from me, thus I decided to write to you on this rainy Sunday. I have so much to catch you up on. Where do I start?
Brainy Bird continues to remind me of you. He will graduate in May with two degrees – math and computer science, and if all goes as planned, he will also complete the course work for South Carolina’s honors college. He currently works remotely as an analyst for a company in Houston that trades crude and refined products. He loves the nature of the work and the people that he works with. He hopes to go to work with them full time in person when he returns to Houston after graduation. His future is bright ahead, and most importantly he is happy.
Little Chirp is now sixteen, a junior in high school, and he is no longer a little chirp. He is right at 6’4″, and in contrast to his endless chatter as a young child, he is quiet and shy. He drives himself, both literally and physically. I do not mind his schoolwork or extracurricular activities. He manages everything on his own. I should probably check his grades more often, but so far, he gives me no reason to worry. He is second out of 824 students in his high performing high school. He likes his job making pizza at Marco’s Pizza, and his passion is bowling. I am looking forward to his first bowling tournament. I love that he chooses to spend his time outside of school doing what he is passionate about instead of what college recruiters want to see. He is kind, emotionally intelligent, and most importantly he is happy.
Little Hewey has started kindergarten. He is a brainiac. Roni is an amazing mother always doing science experiments and art projects with him. Roni and I have grown really close over the past couple of years. She is my rock. I love spending time with her and beautiful family.
I am working on a book series inspired by Little Hewey. The interest from publishers is exciting and little daunting at the same time. I hope to complete the first book in the series by the end of 2025. The hero of the story is inspired by you, Dad.
In addition to my writing career, the small consulting firm that I worked for was acquired over the summer. I now work for a management consulting firm with more than seven thousand employees. I LOVE IT. I really love it. I feel like found my tribe. I am excited to see where this journey takes me.
Our Cowboys are having a terrible season. Are you still a Cowboys fan up there in Heaven? I might defect on Monday and root for the Texans. I always root for the Texans when they are not playing Dallas.
I wish you were here to watch the game with us. I wish you were here to watch your grandsons grow into young men. It has been 21 years 3 months and 4 days since you left this earth. Your legacy lives on in them.
I love you and I miss you.
Love,
Me