Markus Randel's Blog

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

Today is a recap of some of the family pictures over the last year. These were all moments of meaning, value, and treasured. I’m so glad I can share this with you two.

I’m eager to start creating new moments with you guys. Until then, I’ll be here waiting.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

Today’s post is a full album of when we stopped through Texas.  There are pictures of Sacred Heart with Sister Isidre and Jimmy and Prissy and Father Isidore and your cousins and Auntie and God-Mothers.  It just fills my heart to see the two of you with real smiles and playing.  I miss those smiles so much.

Until I can see them again, I’ll wait for you.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

What would normally have been a 3.5 hour drive ended up taking 7 hours last night.  My weekly drive up from Richardson was impeded by an early snow storm.  The weather casters all predicted light blowing snow and the roads should be fine.  That wasn’t the case.  I ended up stuck in an icy downpour on the highway with nowhere to go but forward.  I was exhausted by the time I got to my room.

Today is turning out to be a very long Monday.  The plant was closed due to all the school closings. But, the lab is always open.  I made it in but I’m not worth shooting today.  So, it’s 3 o’clock and I’m getting ready to leave for the day. I can’t run any experiments since everything is shut down. And I don’t have the mental acuteness to implement any of the new ideas I had over the weekend.  Very frustrating.

Sorry for the gripy letter today.  Sometimes I just need to vent.

Always waiting for you.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

It’s finally Friday.  I go back to home tomorrow morning, or maybe tonight if I’m up for it.  It’s been a very long week.  I met with my doctor yesterday.  The good news is my condition isn’t nearly as dire as I expected. We adjusted my medications. I’ll still be around for quite a while. There’s a lot going on, but this isn’t the right place to publish that information.  Just know I was faced with quite a personal scare over the last few weeks. I’m just looking forward to curling up in my bed at home… in a safe place.

It’s still a good time to reach out. It would be encouraging to know how you are both doing.  Or even arrange a visit. I would easily drop everything to see you guys. Until then, I’ll be waiting.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

Some recent events have brought to mind of a very difficult time in my youth.  When I was 15 we lived in Houston.  I was being considered for the Performing Arts School for my bassoon and writing.  I saw a future of music and creation.  Then Dad moved us to Caldwell. The band hall was a small building and they only had a plastic bassoon.  I was devastated. I grew so angry.  I remember telling God if he existed, I hated him. I was bullied by the locals in gym class. I hated my life.

In reflection, it was probably the best thing that could have happened in my life.  The people I met are still in my life.  I was good at music, but not great.  I wouldn’t have made it. I would only ever be second best and frustrated.  Instead, I learned a much better trade… numbers.

But that turmoil of adjustment was difficult.  Combining the transition of moving with puberty was a huge challenge.  I’ve never felt that much anger.  I’ve only felt that much anger once since.  That was the day your mother took you from me.

As I mentioned yesterday, it’s a really good time to reach out.  Things are getting complicated on my end.  I’ll keep sending letters.  Just know your dad misses you very much! I’ll wait for you.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

Yesterday was a busy day and I didn’t have time to write.  It’s a shame since it was the 200th birthday of Adolphe Sax.  His influence on my life was pretty big.  I was 15 when I first picked up an Alto Sax.  I spent my summer break learning how to play it.  When I auditioned for the band that fall, I made it to the top band.  The next year I marched with a baritone sax at Caldwell.  I eventually switched to tuba. Overall, I got to play all the modern variations of saxophones during my band career. I miss them.

Ironically, while I was in Brussels this summer, I visited the Musical Instrument Museum. They had a display of Sax’s inventions.  Joseph, I know you were in band. You might enjoy all the different instruments.

And as always, I’ll be here waiting.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

Today I’m going to continue with the photo albums.  Your Mama Mickey was quite the foodie.  Before she passed away, Papa Gene got her to write down all her favorite recipes she came across over the years.  It is a taste of your heritage.

I’ll be waiting.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

I decided to share with you several of the photos we took over the weekend.  Basically a photo album. Enjoy.

I’ll always be waiting.

Love,
Dad