Open Letter IV

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by TonyB06
To Ms. Gabrielle B.: I sat in the front row as you took the stage and graduated to the 4th grade. You giggled and figited and played with your hair; then you gave me that smile that always gives you my heart. Your teacher discussed your rising scholarship, and friendliness to others, but I already knew all of that. I looked in your face and a piece of me looked back. But it was so much better. Your calm, your resolve, the way you see your world forever amazes me. The way you play-fight-play with your sister and still eat daddy's dinners, even though "it doesn't look this way when mommy makes it."

They keep telling me you're 9 but I know I just brought you home from the hospital yesterday, right? You're getting "cool" now, and my jokes don't crack you up quite as much, but that's ok. I understand. You go on, girl. Do your thang and show the 4th grade something it's never seen. I'll be there every step of the way, in your ear, cheering you on. Trying to give you back what you give me. Love, daddy.

Wonderful message, Tony.
You're a good father.

--from another GCer who's Dad's been deceased 7.5 years and misses him all the time.