For Father's Day back in 2010 I made a special request of my children. I asked them not to buy me any gifts; instead I asked them to write me a letter about their favorite memory of growing up Kirby. More specifically, I asked them to write about a favorite memory of doing something with me.
So, on that particular Father's Day, I received no neckties or other presents. Instead, I received four letters; one from each of my children. Actually, as an added bonus, I received an unexpected fifth letter from my beautiful wife. As I read each letter, we laughed and cried as we relived one special moment after another. Each of our children would then give their color commentary adding flavor and spice to the words on the written page. It was one of my happiest and most special Father's Day's ever.
Today I found those letters again. They had been stashed away with some other keepsakes that had been stashed away too. So, I took them out and re-read each memory filled word again. This time I was alone when I read them. Each letter elicited a wide range of emotions as I replayed the videos in my head of the memories leaping forth from the written pages. Looking back I was amazed at just how many things they remembered and just how much each memory meant to them. As I sat there today, I felt a wide array of emotion, but mostly I felt blessed.
There's nothing like a good memory filled letter from one of your kids to help you refocus on what's important in life. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words but today when I read those letters, it became obvious to me that one memory filled letter is worth more than any picture. Well, at least to me it is. With each letter my mind was filled with a million pictures of each of my kids growing up.
It was fun finding those letters again. I think I'll keep them handy so that I can break them out again if my life starts to feel a little crazy.
Be Well.
Bill
