folded wisdom

Theo Theo do you know? That summertime is on the go! Fall Fall has come around, leaves in the wind, leaves on the ground. Theo put your jacket on when you go outside! Fall Fall is here my dear, let's go for a ride!

Theo Theo Big (not small) can you tell me how (?) did you get so tall. Did you swallow a giraffe from the zoo? Did you put pants and shoes on a ladder? (and stand up on top) Did you comb your hair straight up to the sky? Did you stretch and stretch (like Stretch Armstrong) until you got so so big? -or- Did you simply eat and grow with nowhere else for your head to go - but - UP!

You are my son. I am your dad. Nothing can ever change that. But I do not own you... You are not a "thing." I cannot make you into someone you are not. I can only love you. Whoever you are. I will always love you!

It was so nice lying in bed and reading together last night. Let's do it again soon.

Today is Monday. Let's start the week right. Try a little more to have fun. Try a little more to learn. Try a little more to say - "I love you." Oh! And by the way - we'll also try to get a haircut.

I know I tell you "I love you" a lot. I know I do. Being a "Dad" makes me the luckiest man in the world!

Sometimes you have to lose something before you can dig up something else. Your new tooth will be even bigger and better than your old one. Hooray!

Theo you're a good kid! Believe that 'cause it's true. Theo you're a smart kid! Believe that 'cause it's true. Theo you're a handsome kid! Believe that 'cause it's true. Theo you're a talented kid! Believe that 'cause it's true. Theo you're a fourth grader! Believe that 'cause it's true. Theo you're a good son - and I wouldn't trade you for all the money in the world! Believe that 'cause it's true too!

I'm your Dad!  And my job is to do whatever I can for you, Joanna and your Mom.  Sometimes I get to do what I want that's just for me - but most of the time taking care of my family is what I want to do.  When a man has the chance to help other people he takes it.  That's what a good man does.  He doesn't spend his time only doing for himself.  A boy who's growing up to one day be a man needs to think about that.  Think of other people!  Help other people! Love other people!

Trust is so important Theo. You need to trust me and I need to trust you. When I tell you I will do something I make every effort to do it. When I ask you to do something I expect you to do it as well. In business we make contracts and sign our name to them. I say I will build something and they say they will pay me. A father and a son don't sign contracts - we each have our word and we trust each other to tell the truth and do what we say we will. Let's trust each other!! I love you so much!

Don't know why I sketched a bridge this morning? I was thinking of you and it just came out. Maybe it's an architecture connection - maybe it's a symbol of a connection to something? Like the bridge between youth and maturity that you are crossing right now. Of course if that was it, I should have drawn a much longer bridge that never really reaches the other side. The road to maturity we walk on all of our lives. It's a joy to walk it with you! I love you so much!

I'm a fortunate man, born to two people who loved each other very much. I was surrounded with brothers and sisters and lots of love and support. Now I'm just trying to do the best job I can by loving the woman I chose (and who chose me) and the two children that we were blessed to have. Your mom, Joanna and you mean the world to me and I try to do the right thing for you every moment, every day of my life. What is "the right thing?" Well, besides money, a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food in your belly, I'm trying to help you make the right choices for yourself and help prepare you for the road ahead. I can help you as much as you'll let me. I can give but I cannot make you accept my offering. That's all you Theo. Own your dreams. Pick up the ball and run with it. I love you so much!

I don't know, maybe you weren't expecting a note on Beach Day, but I was walking around the neighborhood with Sunny this morning and noticing all the broken branches (even a whole fallen tree) and I was thinking of you. I think about you a lot. I remember my own high school years and I have to say that I didn't have half the motivation and the dreams that you do. You've developed ideas and plans that are your own and I'm so proud of you. We'll work together this summer and I'm excited by that. I'll help you anyway I can and anyway you'll let me. Have fun today and wear sunscreen (I couldn't help but remind you).

Balancing love, pride, concern and frustration - that's what being a father is. I'm always bouncing back and forth between those feelings (and more), sometimes more than one of them at a time. What to do? How to make love always come out on top? Always just love you and Joanna for who you are, and not worry about whether or not you're all you could be - all I want you to be? Is that the way? I believe that at the end of the day that is the key. I have to push and prod and hope and dream and help out along the way, but in the end I ultimately just have to give you my unconditional love. You got it Theo! But it doesn't mean I won't tell you when I think you're making a mistake.