Dear Joseph and Lucia,

I’m home on Christmas break. We attended the block party Saturday night with all the neighbors.  It was fun.  The previous two owners of the house showed up.  This is our third year we’ve done this. It’s funny that all three of us have accidentally fallen in the pool in December.  I’m very careful now if I have to go around the back. That water is cold!

Michèle is off to work this morning and I’m left to a quiet morning.  Casey Anne has been quite busy this morning chasing squirrels.  A bird decided to set up a nest in my Weber grill somewhere.  I can hear the baby’s in there.  Trying to keep Casey out of it is a challenge.

It is so nice to have a quiet morning to myself at home.  This is a first in a long time.

I’ve been thinking of the two of you a lot as we are making all the preparations for our Christmas festivities.  I would so much like for you to be part of them.  Melynda and Rachael will be here on Christmas morning for the first time in many years.  They normally go to Enid with their father.

For some reason, I miss my dad more this year than last year. I hope he’s proud of the man I’ve become.

So, until next time, I’ll be waiting for you both.  Just remember… you have a dad that loves both of you very much and misses you horribly.

Love,
Dad