Markus Randel's Blog

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

My tickets are booked for the Heartland Flyer tomorrow morning.  I’m finally going home after two long weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing Michèle.  There’s an art festival in Richardson we’re planning to go to.  My friend Craig will likely join us.  I’m looking forward to it.  A lot of artists auditioned for it. I’ll make sure to take lots of pictures.

I’m hoping to see you guys soon.  There are a lot of gears in motion that might allow us to see each other.  I’ll be patient if you don’t want to see me right off, but it’s important for me to let you know I miss you every day of my life. If it takes months or even years, I’ll be patient.  If there is anything you want to ask me, I’ll always be here waiting.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

Laaaaaa…. there. Just a note for today.  Not much else to say other than I’m waiting and miss you and thinking of you guys.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

I had plans to ride the train down to Dallas this weekend, but had to cancel. The memorial for Tina (deceased roommate) is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.  It’s important for me to be there for Jeff (her partner for 18 years).  I’m hoping Michèle can make it up to OKC so I can have her support.  At times like these, I realize how important it is to have a best friend you can lean on.  Michèle has always been that for me.  She was my best friend long before she was my wife.  As Papa Gene would “suggest”… be a best friend with the one you love.

Don’t be afraid to fall in love.  You guys will likely get hurt, but it only helps you to refine what you really want in a relationship.

I’ll always be here waiting to offer support, advice, and a shoulder.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

I heard another NPR story today that inspired me to share with you my musical journey when I was your ages. When I was in 5th grade, we lived in Peculiar, Missouri. (Giggle if you like) Papa Gene stumbled across an antique clarinet at a garage sale and bought it for $10.  $50’s later in repairs, I had my first horn.  I took to it quickly and excelled.  The next year, we moved to Tulsa where they didn’t start band until 6th grade, so I was a year ahead.  It was easy to maintain 1st chair, but I found myself bored since I was playing the same things two years in a row.  I asked If I could play the oboe, but they only had one and it was already being played.

The next year we moved again. This time to SW Houston.  Momma Mickey went to the Junior High to register me and sign me up for band.  They didn’t have any oboes available, but they did have a bassoon. So, she came home a few days before school with the one they checked out to me with explicit instructions that I wasn’t to attempt to assemble it until properly instructed.  Yeah… right.

My senior picture.

I spent the next two years practicing several hours a day.  I loved the instrument even though it wasn’t my first choice. It’s range was amazing.  It started as low as a tuba and could reach as high as a flute. I made second chair in the top band my freshman year in high school.  In a band of over 200 kids, I was only 1 of 8 freshmen.  It was an extreme honor.

I spent a summer with my brother’s saxophone after he quit band and marched with that.  I learned jazz and blues styles from other students. After yet another move, the small school of Caldwell had way too many saxophones and only one tuba.  So I branched out into brass.  It was a blast.  My band director, Bill Tune, recognized what I could do and encouraged me.  I even eventually got to play the oboe for a few songs at his request.

I loved music, but came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t be my career.  I had a fatal flaw of not being able to tongue notes fast enough.  Besides accomplishing many more instruments, I was a master of none. That became clear to me when I heard musicians that seemed to sing through their instruments.  I just knew the mechanics.

I eventually resigned from the art and went into the other field I was adept at… engineering/math/programming.  I’ve only looked back once in all the years.  I auditioned for the local community college and made principal bassoonist.  As a working professional, I didn’t have time for the extensive rehearsal and performance time, so I resigned.  But, I know I still have it in me.  I sing the body electric inside (quote from “Fame”).  That will never leave.

Explore your passions. Find your place and claim it as your own.  I’ll be here waiting to see you excel.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

Hey, Kiddo’s! The picture to the left is a collection of three of my favorite ladies in my life.  On the left is your step-sister, Rachael.  Getting a picture with her actually posing nicely is a near impossibility. And if you are wondering… yes her hair is green and purple.  She’s incredibly expressive.

The beautiful woman on the right is Michèle’s youngest sister, Elizabeth.  She is very similar to Rachael in the fact that she is amazingly attractive and completely off the chain with her sense of humor.  If you look closely at the picture, you’ll see the bunny ears she’s holding over her mum’s head.

And that leads us to the centerpiece… Linda.  She’s Michèle’s mum. My Mother-in-law.  Your Step-Grandmother.  She is an amazing woman of grace and humor. I always look forward to talking to her because a laugh is pretty much guaranteed.

I took this photo at the Starbucks in the airport in Brussels in July as we were getting ready to leave. It was very moving. The whole family came in with us and stayed by our sides until the last moment. There were a lot of tears when finally had to go through security and leave them.  Vicki was there with your two cousins, Nandi and James.  Elizabeth had her son Joshua with her.  And Linda (Nana) was again in the middle with tears holding both her daughters.

The photo to the right is Michèle and her cousin Katharine after the wedding.  Katherine was a gem during the wedding and took all the photos.  I can’t tell you how blessed I feel to have all these beautiful women in my life.

The last picture for today is Melynda, your oldest step-sister.  She’s currently starting her second year in college at Oklahoma University in Norman.  Michèle and I are very proud of her.  I’ll see her this weekend as I drive through on my way to Richardson Friday night. She keeps her grades high and just started a new job to cover her expenses.

So, these are the ladies in my life.  I’m blessed.  But, I’m still missing a crucial part… you two.

As always, I’ll be here waiting to hear from you guys. It will be wonderful for you to get to know all of each other.

Love,
Dad

Dear Joseph and Lucia,

I’m afraid I don’t have much to say today. It’s been a few bad days recently.  I’m hoping everything will balance out shortly.  In the mean time, I’ll just keep my head down and keep plugging away at work.  As long as I’m making my child support payments and keep you guys current, I’m doing the best I’m allowed as your father.

If by some chance your mother is attempting to stop these posts via legal means, I’ll continue to write to you.  I’ll just need to find a new way for you to read them.  Now that I’ve started, the day would be empty if I didn’t at least say hello.

As always, I’m here waiting.  If you want to leave me a message, you can always reach me at markus.randel@live.com or just leave a comment on any of these letters. I’m eager to see what kind of young adults you guys have grown into.

Love,
Dad