Just back from a very nice seminar in Colorado for Free Thoughts, Free Kids of Colorado Springs. In two weeks I’m off again to New Haven and Westport, Connecticut for four events in two days, then Brooklyn on the 28th, Portland and Seattle three weeks later, and Minneapolis a week after that.
The events themselves are energizing and worthwhile, but the travel is beginning to wear on me a tad, especially being away from the family. Not to mention the irony of being an absent father so I can teach about parenting. I’ve promised Becca and the kids I’m taking July off and have already turned down three event requests for that month. I might also bail on June and August.
And possibly 2010. (Heh.)
Anyway.
This time I left on the afternoon of my b-day, and when I unpacked in Denver, I found an envelope down inside the suitcase. On the outside was written
To: 46 year old Daddy
From: Delaney
Inside, my first grader had folded up a piece of paper into eighths. On the outside was written
I love you!
I unfolded once to reveal a smiley face, and again to reveal a heart with a peace sign in it. Inside, the paper said
I am so proud!
You are making alot of progeress!
Since you are doing thise,
I packed some money so you can buy a suvaner.xoxoxoxo
love you,
DelaneyP.S. Happy birthday!
A dollar and 35 cents fell out of the envelope.
Anybody wonder why I hate to leave home?
I am not a member of the Unitarian Church in New Haven, though I do keep trying to get over there. In spite of not knowing anyone else who will be at your seminar I can say that I’m quite excited!
It’s no fun to be away from family, that’s for sure. Hopefully you enjoy New Haven. When you get out here be sure to head over to Modern Pizza on State St or anywhere on Wooster St. It will dull the pain, I assure you!
Comment: megmcg – 03. March 2009 @ 3:30 pm
That melted my heart. What a sweet girl you have.
Comment: Jamie – 04. March 2009 @ 10:50 am
I hope you got a great souvenir!
I can’t believe you are going to be in Portland on the only weekend all year (until summer) that I will be out of town! Arrgh! Well, I will spread the word and try to get everyone I leave behind to attend. Sigh. I hope it goes wonderfully. You should bring the kids, Portland is a very family-friendly town
Comment: AmyS – 04. March 2009 @ 7:08 pm
On the plus side – you wouldn’t have had this wonderfully heartwarming experience if you hadn’t been hitting the road…
Comment: Ron – 05. March 2009 @ 6:19 pm
Dale – great story. I was just wondering what kind of suvaner one can purchase for $1.35 in Denver.
Comment: jm224 – 08. March 2009 @ 9:51 am
I had a choice between a pack of gum and a controlling share in the Colorado Rockies. I went with the gum.
Comment: Dale – 08. March 2009 @ 10:39 am